Intrapleural injection of cholera toxin B conjugated to saporin (CTB-SAP) mimics respiratory motor neuron death and respiratory deficits observed in rat models of neuromuscular diseases. 7d CTB-SAP rats elicit enhanced phrenic long-term facilitation (pLTF) primarily through TrkB and PI3K/Akt-dependent mechanisms (i.e., Gs-pathway, which can be initiated by adenosine 2A (A2A) receptors in naïve rats), while 28d CTB-SAP rats elicit moderate pLTF though BDNF and MEK/ERK-dependent mechanisms (i.e., Gq-pathway, which is typically initiated by serotonin (5-HT) receptors in naïve rats). Here, we tested the hypothesis that pLTF following CTB-SAP is: 1) A2A receptor-dependent at 7d; and 2) 5-HT receptor-dependent at 28d. Adult Sprague Dawley male rats were anesthetized, paralyzed, ventilated, and were exposed to acute intermittent hypoxia (AIH; 3, 5 min bouts of 10.5% O2) following bilateral, intrapleural injections at 7d and 28d of: 1) CTB-SAP (25 μg), or 2) un-conjugated CTB and SAP (control). Intrathecal C4 delivery included either the: 1) A2A receptor antagonist (MSX-3; 10 μM; 12 μl); or 2) 5-HT receptor antagonist (methysergide; 20 mM; 15 μl). pLTF was abolished with A2A receptor inhibition in 7d, not 28d, CTB-SAP rats vs. controls (p<0.05), while pLTF was abolished following 5-HT receptor inhibition in 28d, not 7d, CTB-SAP rats vs. controls (p<0.05). Additionally, 5-HT2A receptor expression was unchanged in CTB-SAP rats vs. controls, while 5-HT2B receptor expression was decreased in CTB-SAP rats vs. controls (p<0.05). This study furthers our understanding of the contribution of differential receptor activation to pLTF and its implications for breathing following respiratory motor neuron death.