Proinflammatory cytokines like interleukin-1β (IL-1β) affect the control of breathing. Our aim is to determine the effect of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 οn the control of breathing. IL-10 knockout mice (IL-10−/−, n = 10) and wild-type mice (IL-10+/+, n = 10) were exposed to the following test gases: hyperoxic hypercapnia 7% CO2-93% O2, normoxic hypercapnia 7% CO2-21% O2, hypoxic hypercapnia 7% CO2-10% O2, and hypoxic normocapnia 3% CO2-10% O2. The ventilatory function was assessed using whole body plethysmography. Recombinant mouse IL-10 (rIL-10; 10 μg/kg) was administered intraperitoneally to wild-type mice ( n = 10) 30 min before the onset of gas challenge. IL-10 was administered in neonatal medullary slices (10–30 ng/ml, n = 8). We found that IL-10−/−mice exhibited consistently increased frequency and reduced tidal volume compared with IL-10+/+mice during room air breathing and in all test gases (by 23.62 to 33.2%, P < 0.05 and −36.23 to −41.69%, P < 0.05, respectively). In all inspired gases, the minute ventilation of IL-10−/−mice was lower than IL-10+/+(by −15.67 to −22.74%, P < 0.05). The rapid shallow breathing index was higher in IL-10−/−mice compared with IL-10+/+mice in all inspired gases (by 50.25 to 57.5%, P < 0.05). The intraperitoneal injection of rIL-10 caused reduction of the respiratory rate and augmentation of the tidal volume in room air and also in all inspired gases (by −12.22 to −29.53 and 32.18 to 45.11%, P < 0.05, respectively). IL-10 administration in neonatal rat ( n = 8) in vitro rhythmically active medullary slice preparations did not affect either rhythmicity or peak amplitude of hypoglossal nerve discharge. In conclusion, IL-10 may induce a slower and deeper pattern of breathing.