EFFECTS OF ACTH ON LUNG MATURATION IN FETAL LAMBS

Google Scholar
  • 1 January 1979
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 97  (2) , 393-+
Abstract
The ability of ACTH to induce lung maturation was evaluated in fetal lambs. One member of 14 twin pairs, from 114-138 days of gestation, was infused i.v. with 0.5 mg ACTH over 5 days. The lungs of treated vs. control lambs were judged more mature by morphologic criteria by the use of light microscopy and EM and by biochemical criteria by the use of lamellar-body-rich cell fractions. None of 5 premature lambs treated with ACTH and allowed to breathe showed evidence of hyaline membrane disease, while 3 untreated control lambs showed typical hyaline membranes.