Repeated measurements of respiratory mechanics in developing rats utilizing a forced oscillation technique.

The ability to successfully intubate the trachea of rats repeatedly over time, recover them, and perform repeated measures of changes in respiratory mechanics is important. The authors performed experiments utilizing 2 groups of rats at various ages in their development. Rats in the single-measurement group were studied at 1 age only. Rats in the repeated-measurement group were studied at each age point over time. Measurements of respiratory mechanics were made utilizing a forced-oscillation technique. We found no differences in respiratory mechanics between the 2 groups. Our results demonstrate that developing rats can be studied longitudinally to illustrate maturational changes in respiratory mechanics.