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Antenatal terbutaline administration decreases the lung hyaluronan concentration in preterm rabbit pups
H Johnsson1, L Eriksson, G Sedin
1Department of Women's and Children's Health, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden.
Objective:
To determine whether antenatal exposure to terbutaline alters the lung hyaluronan concentration or lung water content at birth in preterm rabbit pups.
Study Design:
Rabbit dams (n = 18) with timed pregnancies were injected with 30 microg terbutaline or saline (controls) one day before delivery at 27-29 days of gestation. Pups were killed immediately after delivery. Lung water content and hyaluronan concentrations were determined.
Results:
Pups exposed antenatally to terbutaline had lower mean lung hyaluronan concentrations than control pups. Lung hyaluronan/dry lung weight was significantly lower in pups delivered at 28 (p = 0.034) or 29 days (p < 0.001), while lung hyaluronan/wet lung weight was significantly lower at all three gestational ages.
Conclusion:
Antenatal exposure to terbutaline lowers the lung hyaluronan concentration at birth in preterm (27-29 days) rabbit pups without altering the lung water content.