Biomaterial Database

Respiratory and non-respiratory thoracic movements in the fetal pig. 1991

R Harding, and A L Fowden, and M Silver

Physiological Laboratory, University of Cambridge, UK.

The aim of this study was to characterize the pre-natal activity of the respiratory muscles in a non-ruminant, the pig. Tracheal pressure was recorded from 11 unanaesthetized fetal pigs in utero during late gestation in 9 sows. Two types of inspiratory effort occurred episodically in each fetus during each recording period. Episodes of breathing movements lasted 8.6 +/- 1.1 min and their overall incidence was 41.1 +/- 3.4% of recording time. The mean amplitude of the respiratory efforts was 7.6 +/- 1.1 mmHg and the mean inspiratory time was 0.8 +/- 0.1 s. Episodes of non-respiratory inspiratory efforts, considered to be fetal hiccups, lasted 5.6 +/- 0.8 min. Individual hiccups had a duration of 150-200 msec, a mean amplitude of 41.4 +/- 2.4 mmHg and a mean frequency, during episodes, of 21.9 +/- 2.0 min-1. In contrast to fetal breathing movements, hiccups appeared to be stereotyped events. It is concluded that, in common with other ruminant and non-ruminant species, two types of inspiratory effort occur in the fetal pig. Fetal hiccups, which have been observed in non-ruminant species, may be analogous to deep inspiratory efforts in the sheep fetus. The stimulus for, and function of, fetal hiccupping remain to be determined.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D011247	Pregnancy	The status during which female mammals carry their developing young (EMBRYOS or FETUSES) in utero before birth, beginning from FERTILIZATION to BIRTH.	Gestation,Pregnancies
D012132	Respiratory Muscles	These include the muscles of the DIAPHRAGM and the INTERCOSTAL MUSCLES.	Ventilatory Muscles,Respiratory Muscle,Muscle, Respiratory,Muscle, Ventilatory,Muscles, Respiratory,Muscles, Ventilatory,Ventilatory Muscle
D005260	Female		Females
D005324	Fetal Movement	Physical activity of the FETUS in utero. Gross or fine fetal body movement can be monitored by the mother, PALPATION, or ULTRASONOGRAPHY.	Fetal Activity,Fetal Activities,Fetal Movements
D006606	Hiccup	A spasm of the diaphragm that causes a sudden inhalation followed by rapid closure of the glottis which produces a sound.	Hiccough,Hiccoughs,Hiccups
D000818	Animals	Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA.	Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D013552	Swine	Any of various animals that constitute the family Suidae and comprise stout-bodied, short-legged omnivorous mammals with thick skin, usually covered with coarse bristles, a rather long mobile snout, and small tail. Included are the genera Babyrousa, Phacochoerus (wart hogs), and Sus, the latter containing the domestic pig (see SUS SCROFA).	Phacochoerus,Pigs,Suidae,Warthogs,Wart Hogs,Hog, Wart,Hogs, Wart,Wart Hog
D013909	Thorax	The upper part of the trunk between the NECK and the ABDOMEN. It contains the chief organs of the circulatory and respiratory systems. (From Stedman, 25th ed)	Chest,Thoraces,Chests,Thorace
D015656	Respiratory Mechanics	The physical or mechanical action of the LUNGS; DIAPHRAGM; RIBS; and CHEST WALL during respiration. It includes airflow, lung volume, neural and reflex controls, mechanoreceptors, breathing patterns, etc.	Breathing Mechanics,Breathing Mechanic,Mechanic, Breathing,Mechanic, Respiratory,Mechanics, Breathing,Mechanics, Respiratory,Respiratory Mechanic