A prenatal diagnosis of the functional maturation of the human fetal lung
Higuchi, M.
Nihon Sanka Fujinka Gakkai Zasshi 38(8): 1218-1226
1986
ISSN/ISBN: 0300-9165 PMID: 3755742 Document Number: 286072
Developmental process of fetal rabbit lung was studied biochemically and morphologically as a model of human fetal lung. The results are follows: The mean wall thickness of terminal air spaces at 27 days of gestation became closer to that at term (31 days). Surface area of terminal airspaces in a unit volume of the lung acinas however reached the peak at 29 days of gestation. The differentiation of alveolar epithelial cells and the release of lamellar bodies into potential airspaces were prominent at gestational age from 29 to 30 days. Glycogen content in lung tissue decreased significantly at 28 days and total lecithin concentration in lung tissue increased markedly at the same age. Concentration of disaturated lecithin (DSL) in lung tissue and amniotic fluid rose prominently at the age from 29 to 30 days of gestation. The ability of surfactant secretion into potential airspaces after 1 hour respiration reached the maximum at 29.5 days, which was closely the same as that at term. The cortisol/cortisone ratio in fetal plasma increased significantly at 28 days. The biochemical and morphological lung maturation of fetal rabbit was concluded to be established on 29.5 days of gestation. The possibility of assessment of the functional maturation of human fetal lung was investigated using the measurement of surfactant concentration in amniotic fluid and the analysis of fetal breathing movements by real time ultrasonic B-scanner.