It is known that oligomycin reduces the oxidative phosphorylation high-energy state or high-energy intermediates by inhibiting the formation of ATP without directly inhibiting electron transport, whereas metabolic uncouplers dissipate the high-energy state without net production of ATP. The metabolic hypothesis for O2 chemoreception in the carotid body (CB) predicts that 1) oligomycin should diminish O2 consumption and attenuate O2 chemoreception and 2) uncouplers should reverse the effect of oligomycin by increasing O2 consumption without restoring O2 chemoreception. These predictions were tested by simultaneously measuring CB chemosensory discharge from the sinus nerve and the rate of tissue O2 disappearance (dPO2/dt) during interruption of perfusate flow in perfused-superfused cat CB preparations (n = 9). O2 consumption was calculated from dPO2/dt. Flow-interruption responses were measured before and after oligomycin (1-microgram bolus) and subsequently after dinitrophenol (50 microM). Chemosensory responses to bolus injections of hypercapnic Tyrode solution, cyanide, or nicotine were also tested periodically. Oligomycin diminished dPO2/dt from -2.67 +/- 0.30 to -2.02 +/- 0.19 (SE) Torr/s (P < 0.004, paired t test) and reduced the maximal sensory response from 196 +/- 43 to 124 +/- 12 impulses/s (P < 0.002, paired t test) while augmenting the initial response to CO2. Dinitrophenol reversed the metabolic depressant effect of oligomycin but further suppressed the chemosensory response. These results confirm the above predictions and strengthen the metabolic hypothesis for O2 chemoreception in the CB.