Effects of corticosteroids on postnatal lung and airway growth in the ferret.

To investigate the influence of corticosteroids on postnatal lung and airway growth, young male ferrets were given cortisone acetate (20 mg/kg im daily) beginning at 8 wk of age. At 19 wk of age pulmonary function was measured. The lungs were excised for measurements of recoil pressures and wet and dry weights. The dimensions of central and peripheral airways were estimated from analysis of bronchial casts. Corticosteroid-treated animals were shorter and tended to be lighter than control animals but were heavier in relation to length. Total lung capacity was reduced in proportion to the reduction in body size. Lung recoil and wet-to-dry weight ratios were nearly identical. Maximal expiratory flows were reduced in proportion to the reduction in body size. Size-corrected airway conductance was reduced, suggesting a sensitivity of central airways to growth suppression by corticosteroids. Peripheral airways, on the other hand, were not smaller in treated animals and were larger in proportion to body size. In the ferret corticosteroid administration is associated with a suppression of lung parenchymal growth similar to that of overall body growth. The peripheral airways may be less sensitive and the central airways more sensitive to the effect of corticosteroids on growth.