A Ferret Model of Encephalopathy of Prematurity.

ABSTRACT: There is an ongoing need for relevant animal models in which to test therapeutic interventions for infants with neurological sequelae of prematurity. The ferret is an attractive model species as it has a gyrified brain with a white-to-gray matter ratio similar to that in the human brain. A model of encephalopathy of prematurity was developed in postnatal day 10 (P10) ferret kits, considered to be developmentally equivalent to infants of 24-26 weeks' gestation. Cross-fostered P10 ferret kits received 5 mg/kg of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) before undergoing consecutive hypoxia-hyperoxia-hypoxia (60 min at 9%, 120 min at 60%, and 30 min at 9%). Control animals received saline vehicle followed by normoxia. The development of basic reflexes (negative geotaxis, cliff aversion, and righting) as well

SUBMITTER: Wood T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6658350 | biostudies-literature | 2018

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature