Developmental changes in respiratory, febrile, and cardiovascular responses to PGE(2) in newborn lambs

PGE(2) has centrally mediated respiratory, febrile, and cardiovascular effects that markedly differ between fetal and adult life. We hypothesized that the transition from fetal to adult responses to PGE(2) occurs in the newborn period. Thus effects of an intracarotid infusion of PGE(2) (3 microg/min for 60 min) were determined in unanesthetized newborn lambs at 5, 10, and 15 days after birth. At 5 days, PGE(2) reduced central CO(2) sensitivity, reduced lung ventilation due to a decrease in breathing frequency, and induced hypercapnia. By 15 days, these effects of PGE(2) had waned significantly. In contrast, phasic (expiratory) thyroarytenoid muscle electromyogram activity, number of short apneas, and incidence of Biot periodic breathing were similarly increased at all three ages. PGE(2) induced a sustained fever at 10 and 15 days. Heart rate and mean arterial blood pressure were unchanged in contrast to marked increases observed by others in adults. Results showed that the transition from fetal to adult respiratory and febrile responses to PGE(2) occurs in early postnatal life, whereas adult cardiovascular responses develop later in life in sheep.