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FACTORS DETERMINING DEGREE OF INFLATION IN INTRATRACHEALLY FIXED RAT LUNGS
Citation:
Hayatdavoudi, G., J. Crapo, F. Miller, AND J. O'Neil. FACTORS DETERMINING DEGREE OF INFLATION IN INTRATRACHEALLY FIXED RAT LUNGS. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, D.C., EPA/600/J-80/404.
Description:
The total lung capacity (TLC) of rats was measured in vivo and was compared to the displacement volume of the lungs following intratracheal fixation with glutaraldehyde or formaldehyde solution. When glutaraldehyde was used the speed of infusion of the fixative was an important factor in the final degree of lung inflation achieved. With a low rate of fixative infusion and a final pressure of 20 cm of fixative the glutaraldehyde-fixed lungs inflated to 55% TLC. With a high initial flow of glutaraldehyde and a final pressure of 20 cm of fixative the lungs inflated to 84% TLC. Fixation of lungs inside the intact chest wall was found to result in a higher degree of inflation. With a reservoir height of 20 cm and a low rate of fixative infusion lungs fixed in situ reached 74% TLC, whereas lungs fixed in situ, but from animals that have been exsanguinated prior to fixation, inflated to only 58% TLC.