Abstract
In four species of laboratory animals (rabbit, guinea pig, rat, and hamster) of limited ages, we compared the static volume-pressure (V/P) curve of lung, and the content and composition ofphospholipid (PL) in the fraction of white layer (a crude lung surfactant) obtained from the lung lavage fluid. The V/P curve was hardly obtained in the guinea pigs because of so high openning pressure of their lungs. The distensibility per unit weight of the lung was found to be different among the other three species. The content of PL and phosphatidyl choline (PC) in the fraction of white layer appeared to be lower in the rats than in the other species when normalized for the lung weight, although no meaningful difference in the composition of PL and the fatty acid composition of PC was noted among the species.
Effects of the exposure to 2.3 ppm O3 for three hours were also compared. The effect on the V/P curve was more evident in the rats than in the rabbits and hamster, demonstrating the reduced distensibility and the increased air-trapping in the lungs at lower distending pressures. Differed changes in the content of PL and PC in the fraction of white layer were noted among the species.
Age difference is an additional factor to be considered, but we present these datato contribute to basic informations concerning the species difference of lung physiology and biochemistr which are required in inhalation experiment with atmospheric pollutants.
