Preparing for the first breath: prenatal maturation of respiratory neural control.
By birth, the regulatory neural network responsible for respiratory control is capable of generating robust rhythm-driving ventilation that can adjust to homeostatic needs. The advent of in vitro models isolated from prenatal rodents has significantly advanced our understanding of these processes. In this topical review, we examine the development of medullary respiratory rhythm-generating centres and phrenic motoneurone-diaphragm properties during the prenatal period.
Greer
John J
JJ
University of Alberta, Department of Physiology, 513 HMRC, Edmonton, AB, Canada T6G 2S2. john.greer@ualberta.ca
Funk
Gregory D
GD
Ballanyi
Klaus
K
D000818:Animals; D005333:Fetus / Q000502:physiology; D009046:Motor Neurons / Q000502:physiology; D010791:Phrenic Nerve / Q000166:cytology / Q000196:embryology* / Q000502:physiology*; D012125:Respiratory Center / Q000166:cytology / Q000196:embryology* / Q000502:physiology*; D015656:Respiratory Mechanics / Q000502:physiology*