title: Ontogeny of pulmonary and renal angiotensin-converting enzyme in pigs.
abstract: The present study investigated the ontogeny of pulmonary and renal angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) in foetal and postnatal pigs, and examined the effect of cortisol on tissue ACE in utero. Data were compared with those in sheep at similar ages. Under anaesthesia, tissues and umbilical blood were collected from pig foetuses between 81-115 days of gestation (term, 115+/-2 days). Twelve foetuses delivered at 97+/-2 days were infused with saline or cortisol (3-6 mgkg(-1)day(-1)) using osmotic mini-pumps implanted 6 days previously. Tissues were collected from newborn piglets, and from pigs at 2-4 weeks, 10-12 weeks and 10-12 months of age. Unlike in sheep, gestational age and exogenous cortisol had no effect on pulmonary or renal ACE in pigs. After birth, pulmonary ACE decreased to a nadir at 2-4 weeks and remained low thereafter. Renal ACE increased between 10-12 weeks and 10-12 months. Postnatal changes in tissue ACE may have consequences for cardiovascular, pulmonary and renal function in pigs.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge CB2 3EG, UK. ajf1005@cam.ac.uk
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Forhead
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Gulati
authors.forename: K R
authors.initials: KR
authors.lastname: Poore
authors.forename: A L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Fowden
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D005314:Embryonic and Fetal Development; D005260:Female; D005333:Fetus; D005865:Gestational Age; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000502:physiology; D007668:Kidney / Q000196:embryology / Q000201:enzymology*; D008168:Lung / Q000196:embryology / Q000201:enzymology*; D007703:Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D011247:Pregnancy; D013552:Swine
chemical_list: D007703:Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A; D006854:Hydrocortisone