Upper airway resistance in healthy Friesian cattle

Total pulmonary resistance (RL) and upper airway resistance (Ruaw) were measured in nine healthy unsedated Friesian cattle divided into three age groups. Mean values for these three groups of animals aged four, 188 and 1157 days were 0.32, 0.13 and 0.06 kPa litre-1 s for RL; 0.14, 0.09 and 0.05 kPa litre-1 s for Ruaw; and 0.45, 0.68 and 0.79 for the ratio Ruaw/RL respectively. Ruaw, measured with the head in the normal position, did not significantly differ from values obtained with the head in the horizontal position. Ruaw, measured with the head in the vertical position, was approximately three times greater than when measured in the two other positions.