Control of fetal lung development in the rabbit

Influence of the central nervous system on fetal lung development. Experimental study.

“…The results of fetal decapitation in rabbits and rats including lung enlargement and delayed maturation (Blackburn et al, 1973;Chiswick et al, 1973) have been interpreted as evidence that fetal respiratory activity is of little importance in prenatal lung development (Jost and Policard, 1948). As fetal decapitation causes tracheal occlusion the growth-promoting action of retained lung liquid (Alcorn et al, 1977) may counteract any effects of fetal respiratory standstill.…”

Prolonged rupture of membranes, pre-eclamptic toxaemia, and respiratory distress syndrome.

“…Endogenous glucocorticoids play a role in the development of pulmonary surfactant in animals (Blackburn, Travers, and Potter, 1972;Chiswick et al, 1973) and probably in humans (Naeye, Harcke, and Blanc, 1971). Development of pulmonary surfactant in many animal species is accelerated by administration of glucocorticoids to the fetus (Liggins, 1969;Kotas and Avery, 1971), and administration of glucocorticoids to mothers may possibly be associated with the precocious development of pulmonary surfactant in human fetuses (Liggins and Howie, 1972).…”

La prophylaxie ante partum de la maladie à membranes hyalines du nouveau-né prématuré

“…Chez le lapin et le rat, l'inter ruption de l'axe hypothalamo-hypophyso-surrénalien obtenue par décapitation du foetus est associée avec un retard dans la maturation des cellules alvéolaires et dans l'apparition du surfactant pulmonaire (8).…”