Bronchial artery blood flow index (BFI) was measured in an unanesthetized sheep model using a chronically implanted ultrasonic flow probe. The bronchial circulation was monitored during changes of the concentrations of oxygen and carbon dioxide in inhaled air. Control BFI was 15.9 +/- 3.8 ml/min/m2 during normoxic breathing with 0% CO2 (n = 6) and 18.0 +/- 1.6 ml/min/m2 while breathing 28% O2 and 0% carbon dioxide (n = 6). Hypoxia (FIO2 = 0.10) significantly increased BFI to 25.8 +/- 4.9 ml/min/m2 with a decrease in the bronchovascular resistance index (BVRI) from a baseline of 7.85 +/- 1.73 to 4.75 +/- 0.86 mm Hg/(ml/min)/m2. Hyperoxia (FIO2 = 1.0) raised BFI to 30.5 +/- 10.1 ml/min/m2 without a significant decrease in BVRI. Changing the inhaled carbon dioxide concentration from 0 to 10% resulted in a significant increase in BFI from 18.0 +/- 1.6 to 43.6 +/- 10.3 ml/min/m2 and a decrease in BVRI from 5.56 +/- 0.44 to 4.63 +/- 2.18 mmHg/(ml/min)/m2 (not significant). The change in BFI varies directly with lymph flow for hypoxia and hypercarbia. This is consistent with changes in cardiac index, indicating probable changes in surface area being perfused in the lung. Changes in BFI with hyperoxia did not follow changes in systemic vascular resistance or cardiac index. Similarly, lymph flow elevation did not occur during hyperoxia. These data suggest that BFI changes with hyperoxia are not related to changes in total systemic vascular resistance, or cardiac index, and a different mechanism may control bronchovascular flow for this condition.