Effects of Cortisol and Aminophylline upon Survival, Pulmonary Mechanics, and Secreted Phosphatidyl Choline of Prematurely Delivered Rabbits

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Abstract
Summary: Rabbits delivered at 27.0 days of gestation were studied after administration of cortisol (2 mg/kg/day), aminophylline (6.25 mg/kg/day), or sterile saline to the does on days 24–26 of gestation. Survival at 60 min was 52.9% in the aminophylline-treated group and 22.2% in the control and cortisol-treated groups with all animals being in a warm, oxygen-enriched environment and receiving frequent tactile stimulation. Lung volume at 30 cm H2O was lower in the cortisol-treated group than in the controls or aminophylline-treated group in animals surviving for 60 min (Table 2). The aminophylline-treated group retained significantly more gas at low pressures on the deflation curve (Table 2) and had significantly more phosphati-dylcholine recovered in lung lavage fluid (Table 3) than the other groups. Aminophylline appears to have enhanced lung maturation better than cortisol in this experimental model. Speculation: Improved survival of prematurely delivered rabbits after aminophylline administration (as compared with cortisol) may be due to a combination of factors including enhanced maturation of the lungs as well as stimulation of the respiratory center.