EFFECTS OF MEDICINES FOR FETAL LUNG MATURATION ON INFECTION IN MATERNAL-FETAL TISSUES AND THE OUTCOME OF PREGNANCY IN RABBITS

Wang FY, Wang QM, Zhang L, Zhang ZY, Cao HW, Xu DX, Shi CX

Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China

Objective: TO study the effects of dexamethasone (Dex), thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH), epidermal growth factor (EGF) on maternal and fetal infection, and the outcome of pregnancy.

Methods: The model of intrauterine infection in rabbits was established, then these rabbits were treated with Dex, EGF, TRH in combination with Cefamezin respectively. The infective degree in maternal and fetal tissues and the morphodifferentiation of fetal lung were observed light microscopically and electron microscopically. The numbers of miscarried, died, living fetuses and does were also examined.

Results: The morphological development of fetal lung in Dex，TRH and EGF treated groups was better compared with that in the control group. Signs of atelectasis were often observed in the fetal lungs in the control group. The infective degree in fetal lungs and placentas in Dex-treated group was significantly more severe than that in the control group and EGF-treated group. No marked difference was found in uteri among these groups. The number of does with the miscarried and fetal death in Dex-treated group was significantly more compared with that in EGF-treated group. The miscarried and fetal death rates in TRH-treated group were significant higher than that in EGF-treated and the control groups. The death of does was found only in TRH-treated group.

Conclusion: In model of Intrauterine infection, Dex, TRH and EGF can promote the lung development in immature fetuses, but Dex can make fetal and maternal infection more severe. In addition, Dex and TRH can accelerate fetus premature laboring or death. However, EGF does not increase the infective degree in maternal-fetal tissues and make fetal and maternal outcome better.

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