cortisol-succinate--sodium-salt and Asphyxia-Neonatorum

Gender-specific newborn rats were randomized into two treatment groups: experimental (received steroid) and control (administered normal saline). Steroid treatment was initiated on 2nd day of life. Hydrocortisone sodium succinate at 10 mg/kg was administered intraperitoneally every 12 hours for four doses. On 3rd day of life, after the last dosage, all rats were asphyxiated once in a standardized manner. Steroids had no effect in improving respiratory tolerance. The experimental group in both genders, but more predominantly in females, gained less body weight compared to control littermates. However, no differences in somatic growth was detected between genders. This finding in newborn rats is in contrast to older rats where males are reported to be less resistant to the growth retarding effects of steroids.

Topics: Animals; Animals, Newborn; Asphyxia Neonatorum; Body Weight; Female; Hydrocortisone; Male; Rats; Respiration; Sex Factors