Development of the lung in fetal rabbits with experimental diaphragmatic hernia

Congenital diaphragmatic hernias were successfully produced in fetal rabbits. The lungs of these animals remained small and hypoplastic on gross examination, although histologically they have matured significantly from the original pseudoglandular stage. It is our impression that the so-called hypoplastic lung in diaphragmatic hernias is small in size but potentially functioning when relieved of compression.