Oxygen exposure and extrapulmonary respiratory tract ciliogenesis in adult male rats.

Adult male rats were exposed to pure oxygen at atmospheric pressure for 12 and 24 h. Electron microscopic examination indicated ciliogenesis at every respiratory tract level. For the first time this investigation has established an oxygen insult which affects the epithelium of the entire extra-pulmonary respiratory tract, viz. ciliogenesis. An alteration in muco-ciliary clearance is suggested