The reduction-oxidation level of cytochrome aa3 in the intact cerebral cortex of cerveau isolé or pentobarbital-anesthetized cats was monitored by means of dual-beam reflectance spectrophotometry. Respiratory gases containing varying fractions of carbon dioxide and oxygen were administered at increased pressures, allowing titration of the cytochrome redox state from maximum reduction during nitrogen ventilation to the completely oxidized state. We show that the fully oxidized state could be reached with about 5% CO2-95% O2 inspired at 4 ATA. Maximum oxidation was achieved only through the relaxation of oxygen-induced vasoconstriction of the cerebral vessels, as our data indicated that large blood volume responses accompanied the increases in inspired carbon dioxide. With out technique, we have established that under resting air-breathing conditions cytochrome aa3 is about 85% reduced in the cat cerebral cortex, and that the absorption peak for cytochrome aa3 in situ is located near 602 nm. A free energy change of an additional 8 kcal is calculated to occur with donation of an electron pair from 85% reduced cytochrome aa3 to oxygen as compared to a 1% reduction level.