The effects of lung distension, oxygenation, and gestational age on fetal behavior and breathing movements in sheep.

Lung distension with 100% O2 at a continuous positive airway pressure of 30 cm H2O may induce continuous fetal breathing movements (FBM) in sheep. The objectives of this study were 1) to investigate the relative roles of lung distension and oxygenation and 2) to test the hypothesis that FBM can be induced during labor, when normally they are greatly reduced or absent. We studied 13 chronically instrumented, unanesthetized fetal sheep between 128 and 144 d of gestation (term = 147 +/- 2 d). Each fetus was instrumented to record sleep states, diaphragm electromyogram, blood pressure, arterial pH, and blood gas tensions. The fetal lungs were distended via an in situ endotracheal tube with four different concentrations of O2 (0, 21, 50 and 100%) at a continuous positive airway pressure of 10, 20 and 30 cm H2O in a randomized order. No change in any recorded physiologic variable was observed at 129 +/- 1 or 132 +/- 1 d of gestation. At 135 +/- 1 and 138 +/- 1 d, in response to a continuous positive airway pressure of 30 cm H2O and 100% O2, pH decreased (p = 0.0004 and 0.005, respectively) and arterial O2 tension increased (p = 0.004 and 0.02, respectively). However, increases in 1) breathing time, 2) breathing time/low-voltage electrocortical activity ratio, 3) duration of arousal, and 4) length of single breathing epochs were observed only at 138 +/- 1 d. Lung distension with N2 resulted in a decrease in FBM. Six fetuses were studied during labor.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)