title: Effects of meclofenamate on breathing movements in fetal sheep before delivery.
abstract: There is evidence that prostaglandins (PG), specifically PGE2, participate in the regulation of fetal breathing movements (FBM). During late gestation, when FBM occur intermittently and primarily during low-voltage electrocortical activity, the concentration of PGE2 in fetal plasma ([PGE2]) is high. During the days before delivery [PGE2] increases and FBM decrease. To determine whether the increase in [PGE2] is responsible for the concurrent decrease in FBM, we infused the prostaglandin synthase inhibitor, meclofenamate (0.7 mg.kg-1.h-1), into eight fetal sheep continuously for 5-13 days before delivery; five control fetuses received a continuous infusion of the solvent for 5-11 days before delivery. Compared with control infusion, meclofenamate caused a significant decrease in [PGE 2] until the day of delivery and a significant increase in FBM [overall and during high-voltage electrocortical activity (HVA)] until 2 days before delivery. Although there were significant correlations between [PGE2] and FBM (overall and during HVA), both groups showed similar decreases in FBM during the 2 days before delivery. We conclude that the decrease in FBM before delivery is not dependent on the concurrent increase in [PGE2].
authors.affiliation: Cardiovascular Research Institute, University of California, San Francisco 94143.
authors.forename: L D
authors.initials: LD
authors.lastname: Wallen
authors.forename: D T
authors.initials: DT
authors.lastname: Murai
authors.forename: R I
authors.initials: RI
authors.lastname: Clyman
authors.forename: C H
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: F E
authors.initials: FE
authors.lastname: Mauray
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Kitterman
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015232:Dinoprostone; D005312:Fetal Blood / Q000032:analysis; D005333:Fetus / Q000187:drug effects*; D008469:Meclofenamic Acid / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011458:Prostaglandins E / Q000097:blood; D012119:Respiration / Q000187:drug effects*; D012756:Sheep; D062367:ortho-Aminobenzoates / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D011458:Prostaglandins E; D062367:ortho-Aminobenzoates; D008469:Meclofenamic Acid; D015232:Dinoprostone