Effect of epidermal growth factor on lung maturation in fetal rabbits.
Injection of epidermal growth factor (EGF) into 24-day rabbit fetuses (5 microgram, im or ip) induced accelerated maturation of the lung. On sacrifice at day 27, there was greater distensibility and stability on deflation associated with the appearance of a complement of type II cells approaching that of the rabbit at term. EGF treatment had no demonstrable effect on body weight or lung weight in this group of animals. Saline-injected control fetuses were not affected significantly.
D000818:Animals; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects; D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004848:Epithelium / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D005333:Fetus / Q000187:drug effects*; D008168:Lung / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000196:embryology; D009929:Organ Size / Q000187:drug effects; D010455:Peptides / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011650:Pulmonary Alveoli / Q000648:ultrastructure; D011817:Rabbits; D014109:Total Lung Capacity
D010455:Peptides; D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor