Antenatal terbutaline administration decreases the lung hyaluronan concentration in preterm rabbit pups.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether antenatal exposure to terbutaline alters the lung hyaluronan concentration or lung water content at birth in preterm rabbit pups.


METHODS
Rabbit dams (n = 18) with timed pregnancies were injected with 30 microg terbutaline or saline (controls) one day before delivery at 27-29 days of gestation. Pups were killed immediately after delivery. Lung water content and hyaluronan concentrations were determined.


RESULTS
Pups exposed antenatally to terbutaline had lower mean lung hyaluronan concentrations than control pups. Lung hyaluronan/dry lung weight was significantly lower in pups delivered at 28 (p = 0.034) or 29 days (p < 0.001), while lung hyaluronan/wet lung weight was significantly lower at all three gestational ages.


CONCLUSIONS
Antenatal exposure to terbutaline lowers the lung hyaluronan concentration at birth in preterm (27-29 days) rabbit pups without altering the lung water content.
Johnsson
H
H
Department of Women's and Children's Health, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden.
Eriksson
L
L
Sedin
G
G
D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D001834:Body Water; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid / Q000032:analysis*; D008168:Lung / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000187:drug effects; D008431:Maternal-Fetal Exchange; D009929:Organ Size; D011247:Pregnancy; D011817:Rabbits; D013726:Terbutaline / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D015149:Tocolytic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*
D015149:Tocolytic Agents; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid; D013726:Terbutaline