Diaphragmatic activity and lung liquid flow in the unanesthetized fetal sheep.

For some time it has been suggested that breathing movements are made "in utero" and recently measurements of tracheal pressure and lung liquid flow in chronic fetal preparations have led to the hypothesis that rapid changes in these parameters are the result of respiratory muscle activity. To test this hypothesis diaphragmatic electrical activity was measured in seven chronic unanesthetized fetal sheep preparations and correlated with lung liquid flow and tracheal pressure. Diaphragmatic activity led to a fall of tracheal pressure and movement of a small volume of lung liquid into the lung. After the activity ceased, tracheal pressure returned to normal and flow diminished to zero or was directed out of the lung. The breathing pattern was unassociated with the net movement of lung liquid out of the lung. A histogram of the interval between breaths revealed a changing pattern of activity throughout gestation. The pattern was significantly altered after premature delivery of one animal with a respiratory problem. These observations provide evidence that respiratory muscles are active "in utero" and that the pattern of activity changes throughout gestation.