Abstract
Limited information is available on how fetal growth retardation (FGR) affects the lung in the neonatal period in males and females. This led us to test the hypothesis that FGR alters lung mechanics and the surfactant system during the neonatal period. To test this hypothesis a model of FGR was utilized in which pregnant rat dams were fed a low protein diet during both the gestation and lactation period. We subsequently analyzed lung mechanics using a FlexiVent ventilator in male and female pups at postnatal day 7 and 21. Lung lavage material was obtained at postnatal day 1, 7 and 21, and was used for analysis of the surfactant system which included measurement of the pool size of surfactant and its subfraction as well as the surface tension reducing ability of the surfactant. The main result of the study was a significantly lower lung compliance and higher tissue elastance which was observed in FGR female offspring at day 21 compared to control offspring. In addition, female LP offspring exhibited lower surfactant pool sizes at postnatal day 1compared to controls. These changes were not observed in the male offspring. It is concluded that FGR has a different impact on pulmonary function and on surfactant in female, as compared to male, offspring.
Highlights
Epidemiological studies provide strong evidence for the negative impact of fetal growth restriction (FGR) on numerous short and long-term health outcomes of the offspring [1]
Outcomes related to lung mechanics, assessed for animals at day 7 and 21 using a FlexiVent ventilator, are shown in Figs 1 and 2
There was no significant difference between the two diet groups at day 7 for either male or female animals, but at day 21 resistance was significantly higher in the LP group of both sexes compared to control (Fig 2A and 2B)
Summary
Epidemiological studies provide strong evidence for the negative impact of fetal growth restriction (FGR) on numerous short and long-term health outcomes of the offspring [1]. Defined as an infant with a birthweight below the 10th percentile for its gestational age, FGR has been shown to contribute to altered neurodevelopment and impaired growth in the immediate neonatal period, as well as chronic diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, and dyslipidemia later in life [2,3]. Both human epidemiological studies and animal models suggest many of these. Fetal growth restriction affects the lungs of neonatal female rats funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript
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