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Updated: Aug 12, 2026

Electrophysiology on Isolated Brainstem-spinal Cord Preparations from Newborn Rodents Allows Neural Respiratory Network Output Recording
Published on: November 19, 2015
The respiratory response to pregnancy appears to be largely mediated by the action of progesterone and, perhaps to a lesser extent, oestrogens, at least in the first and second trimesters. The mechanical effects of the gravid uterus cause relatively little change in pulmonary mechanics, although finer changes in airways function require further investigation. Dyspnoea during pregnancy is also probably hormone-mediated but the exact temporal relationship between hormone status, functional change and the development of symptoms is not yet clearly defined.
The respiratory response to pregnancy appears to be largely mediated by the action of progesterone and, perhaps to a lesser extent, oestrogens, at least in the first and second trimesters. The mechanical effects of the gravid uterus cause relatively little change in pulmonary mechanics, although finer changes in airways function require further investigation. Dyspnoea during pregnancy is also probably hormone-mediated but the exact temporal relationship between hormone status, functional change and the development of symptoms is not yet clearly defined.
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