Nitrofen induced diaphragmatic hernia: Pressure-volume registration and artificial ventilation in newborn rats

R. Tenbrinck*, E. C. Scheffers, H. IJsselstijn, D. Tibboel, B. Lachmann

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

1 Citation (Scopus)

Abstract

Congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) can be introduced in rat fetuses by administering the herbicide nitrofen to pregnant rats. Artificial ventilation of newborn rats with intermittent registration of pressure-volume (P-V) diagrams is described. A pilot study showed that delivery of the fetus by hysterotomy was followed by inadequate ventilation during the first hour after delivery (p < 5%; hysterotomy vs spontaneous delivery). This delayed lung adaptation is characterized by impaired compliance values. Therefore, in the definite experiment lung mechanics and histology were studied only in spontaneous born animals. Three groups of animals [controls (C), and nitrofen exposed animals with (NH) or without (NN) CDH] were studied immediately after spontaneous birth (0 h) and at 1 and 6 hours postpartum. The differences between the C and NH groups considering the volumes during all points of measurement (0, 1, 6 hours) are significant. For example: at P = 10 cm H2O, the corresponding volumes (0, 1, 6 hours) for C are 137 ± 92; 189 ± 33; 301 ± 93 μl and for NH are 17 ± 28; 75 ± 73; 147 ± 78 μl. Conclusion: newborn rats can be ventilated for several hours. Since improvement in lung function induced by, e.g. drugs, will result in altered P-V relations, this model is suitable for testing new modes of treatment during the period immediately after birth.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)257-264
Number of pages8
JournalApplied Cardiopulmonary Pathophysiology
Volume5
Issue number4
Publication statusPublished - 1995

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