TY - JOUR
T1 - A Pig Model of the Preterm Neonate
T2 - Anthropometric and Physiological Characteristics
AU - Eiby, Yvonne A.
AU - Wright, Layne L.
AU - Kalanjati, Viskasari P.
AU - Miller, Stephanie M.
AU - Bjorkman, Stella T.
AU - Keates, Helen L.
AU - Lumbers, Eugenie R.
AU - Colditz, Paul B.
AU - Lingwood, Barbara E.
PY - 2013/7/9
Y1 - 2013/7/9
N2 - Background:Large animal models are an essential tool in the development of rationally-based new clinical therapies for preterm infants. We provide a description of the newborn pig as a model of the preterm neonate in terms of growth parameters, physiology and the requirement for intensive care over a range of gestational ages.Methods:Twenty-nine litters of piglets (n = 298) were delivered by caesarean section at six timepoints during gestation from 91d to 113d (term = 115d). Two groups, at 91 and 97d gestation, also received maternal glucocorticoid treatment. At four of these timepoints, piglets (n = 79) were ventilated, sedated and monitored using standard neonatal intensive care techniques for up to 8 h in various experimental protocols.Results:Body weight increased from mean 697 g (SD 193) at 91d gestation to 1331 g (SD 368) at 113d gestation. Piglets delivered at 97d gestation were able to be resuscitated and kept alive for at least 8 h on respiratory support after surfactant administration. Maternal glucocorticoid treatment 48 h and 24 h hours prior to delivery reduced the requirement for ventilator support and improved cardiovascular stability.Conclusion:The pig provides a relevant model for the study of human preterm physiology and for investigation of novel therapies to improve outcomes.
AB - Background:Large animal models are an essential tool in the development of rationally-based new clinical therapies for preterm infants. We provide a description of the newborn pig as a model of the preterm neonate in terms of growth parameters, physiology and the requirement for intensive care over a range of gestational ages.Methods:Twenty-nine litters of piglets (n = 298) were delivered by caesarean section at six timepoints during gestation from 91d to 113d (term = 115d). Two groups, at 91 and 97d gestation, also received maternal glucocorticoid treatment. At four of these timepoints, piglets (n = 79) were ventilated, sedated and monitored using standard neonatal intensive care techniques for up to 8 h in various experimental protocols.Results:Body weight increased from mean 697 g (SD 193) at 91d gestation to 1331 g (SD 368) at 113d gestation. Piglets delivered at 97d gestation were able to be resuscitated and kept alive for at least 8 h on respiratory support after surfactant administration. Maternal glucocorticoid treatment 48 h and 24 h hours prior to delivery reduced the requirement for ventilator support and improved cardiovascular stability.Conclusion:The pig provides a relevant model for the study of human preterm physiology and for investigation of novel therapies to improve outcomes.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84879981985&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1371/journal.pone.0068763
DO - 10.1371/journal.pone.0068763
M3 - Article
C2 - 23874755
AN - SCOPUS:84879981985
SN - 1932-6203
VL - 8
JO - PLoS ONE
JF - PLoS ONE
IS - 7
M1 - e68763
ER -