Effect of the oestral cycle on respiratory mechanics in the rat.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the effect of the oestral cycle on the respiratory mechanics of the rat.


METHODS
We measured the main mechanical respiratory parameters, namely respiratory system and lung resistances and compliances, by the end-inflation occlusion method on two populations of female rats, during proestrous-oestrous and metaoestrous-diestrous phases.


RESULTS
Inflation-deflation loops of the lungs were found to be statistically higher in rats during metaoestrous-diestrous phase. No other statistically significant difference was found in the measured mechanical respiratory parameters.


CONCLUSIONS
Our results suggest that the naturally occurring fluctuations in serum sexual hormone levels during the sexual cycle influence the lung's hysteresis but do not influence the respiratory system and lung resistances or static compliances. A possible effect of female sexual hormones on surfactant activity is also suggested.
Rubini
A
A
Department of Human Anatomy and Physiology, Sect. Physiology, University od Padua Via Marzolo, Padova, Italy. alessandro.rubin@unipd.it
Bondì
M
M
D000403:Airway Resistance / Q000502:physiology; D000818:Animals; D004031:Diestrus / Q000502:physiology; D030762:Estrous Cycle / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D008170:Lung Compliance / Q000502:physiology; D008686:Metestrus / Q000502:physiology; D011359:Proestrus / Q000502:physiology; D051381:Rats; D015656:Respiratory Mechanics / Q000502:physiology*