EFFECTS OF EPIDERMAL GROWTH-FACTOR ON LUNG MATURATION IN FETAL LAMBS

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  • 1 January 1980
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 100  (3) , 707-725
Abstract
Ability of epidermal growth factor (EGF) to induce lung maturation was evaluated in fetal and neonatal lambs. EGF was infused (3-5 days) into 1 member of 10 fetal twin pairs, 1 member of 2 term twin pairs and 2 singleton term lambs. All EGF-treated lambs had evidence of epithelial hyperplasia of the conducting airways typical of the EGF effect. With the exception of the most immature pair, the lungs of treated vs. control lambs were judged more mature by morphologic criteria studied by light microscopy and EM. None of the 6 premature lambs treated with EGF and allowed to breathe showed evidence of hyaline membrane disease, while 3 untreated control lambs developed typical hyaline membranes when delivered by cesarean section after maternal hypotension. All untreated control animals showed more severe clinical symptoms of respiratory distress than did the EGF-treated animals.