Antenatal terbutaline administration decreases the lung hyaluronan concentration in preterm rabbit pups

Objectiv. To determine whether antenatal exposure to terbutaline alters the lung hyaluronan concentration or lung water content at birth in preterm ra bbit pups. Study Design: Rabbit dams (n = 18) with timed pregnancies were i njected with 30 mug terbutaline or saline (controls) one day before deliver y at 27-29 days of gestation. Pups were killed immediately after delivery. Lung water content and hyaluronan concentrations were determined. Results: Pups exposed antenatally to terbutaline had lower mean lung hyaluronan conc entrations than control pups. Lung hyaluronan/dry lung weight was significa ntly lower in pups delivered at 28 (p = 0.034) or 29 days (p < 0.001), whil e lung hyaluronan/wet lung weight was significantly lower at all three gest ational ages. Conclusion: Antenatal exposure to terbutaline lowers the lung hyaluronan concentration at birth in preterm (27-29 days) rabbit pups with out altering the lung water content. Copyright (C) 2001 S. Karger AG, Basel .