Identifier

etd-0325103-165637

Degree

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Department

Veterinary Medical Sciences - Pathobiological Sciences

Document Type

Dissertation

Abstract

The current pathogenesis of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) is unknown. Elevated endogenous ethanol production by gastrointestinal yeast has been proposed as a possible mechanism for SIDS. To investigate the role of ethanol in SIDS, three studies were undertaken. In the first study, transcutaneous blood gas technology was evaluated for repeated monitoring of arterial blood gases. The second study identified the cardiorespiratory responses to inhaled CO2 challenge in juvenile rats, to determine the age corresponding to the age range of peak incidence of SIDS in human infants. Finally, utilizing the optimized juvenile rat model, the cardiorespiratory responses to ethanol and CO2 challenge were examined. The following observations were made: 1) A transcutaneous probe temperature of 44.5¡ãC provided the best correlation with arterial blood gas levels, though extended skin contact caused thermal burns. 2) The transcutaneous probe could be maintained in place for 3 hours utilizing probe temperatures of 44¡ãC (adults) and 42¡ãC (juveniles) without producing thermal burns, while providing modest correlation between arterial and transcutaneous CO2. 3) On post embryonic (PE) days 30 & 31, pups exhibited higher heart rates and responded more slowly to and recovered slower from CO2 challenge versus older ages tested. 4) On PE days 30 and 31, pup respiratory rate was unchanged in response to 10 % inhaled CO2 challenge, whereas older animals decreased respiratory rate approximately 38 %. 5) Simultaneous challenge with ethanol and CO2 inconsistently elevated transcutaneous CO2 to levels over those observed for CO2 challenge alone. 6) Respiratory responses to modest levels of CO2 and ethanol were ineffective in lowering transcutaneous CO2 levels. 7) Ethanol alone elevated transcutaneous CO2 levels without a concurrent depression of respiration. In summary, transcutaneous blood gas methodology provides an effective means of serially monitoring changes in arterial CO2 concentrations in small rodents. Juvenile rats of PE age 29 - 31 days (¡Öpost natal days 8- 10) provide a useful rodent model for future investigations into the pathogenesis of SIDS. Finally, low blood ethanol concentrations may exacerbate the effects of inhaled CO2 and should be further investigated as a mechanism for the pathogenesis of SIDS.

Date

2003

Document Availability at the Time of Submission

Release the entire work immediately for access worldwide.

Committee Chair

David G. Baker

DOI

10.31390/gradschool_dissertations.624

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