Reproductive physiology. Lung development following diaphragmatic hernia in the fetal rabbit

Author： Wu J.

ISSN： 1460-2350

Source： Human Reproduction, Vol.15, Iss.12, 2000-12, pp. : 2483-2488

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Abstract

Diaphragmatic hernia was created in 39 rabbit fetuses on day 23 of gestation. Fifteen fetuses underwent a sham thoracotomy (SHAM). Thirty-nine non-operated littermates served as internal controls (CTR). Fetuses were harvested by Caesarean section on days 25, 27, 29 and 30 of gestation. Pulmonary response was evaluated by lung to body weight ratio (LBWR), morphometry, and density of type II pneumocytes. No difference was found between CTR and SHAM fetuses at term. CDH fetuses had smaller lungs (LBWR 0.014 ± 0.004 versus 0.030 ± 0.04 in CTR, P < 0.0001),="" a="" less="" complex="" acinus="" [mean="" terminal="" bronchial="" density="" (mtbd)="" 1.786="" ±="" 0.408="" versus="" 0.917="" ±="" 0.188,="">P < 0.0001],="" thicker="" alveolar="" septa="" [mean="" wall="" transection="" length="" (lmw)="" 0.0221="" ±="" 0.008="" versus="" 0.0142="" ±="" 0.002,="">P = 0.0003], and a lower type II cell count (144.5 ± 19.33 versus 216.2 ± 27.85 per high power field, P < 0.0001).="" the="" differences="" in="" mtbd="" and="" lmw="" were="" significant="" from="" gestational="" day="" 25="" onwards,="" and="" the="" differences="" in="" type="" ii="" cell="" count="" from="" day="" 27="" onwards.="" surgical="" diaphragmatic="" hernia="" in="" rabbit="" fetuses="" in="" the="" late="" pseudoglandular="" phase="" reproduces="" many="" features="" of="" the="" pulmonary="" hypoplasia="" associated="" with="" human="" congenital="" diaphragmatic="" hernia,="" including="" the="" delayed="" maturation.="" the="" effects="" are="" present="" within="" 2="" days="" following="" experimental="" diaphragmatic="" hernia="" and="" progress="" over="" time.="">