RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 In utero cigarette smoke exposure impairs somatic and lung growth in BALB/c mice JF European Respiratory Journal JO Eur Respir J FD European Respiratory Society SP erj01569-2010 DO 10.1183/09031936.00156910 A1 A.N. Larcombe A1 R.E. Foong A1 L.J. Berry A1 G.R. Zosky A1 P.D. Sly YR 2011 UL http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/early/2011/02/10/09031936.00156910.abstract AB The aim of this study was to assess whether in utero tobacco smoke exposure alone impacts early-life lung growth and development.Pregnant BALB/c mice were exposed to cigarette smoke from 6 cigarettes per day, or air, from day 8 to 20 of gestation. At two weeks of age, pups were weighed and had their lung volumes and lung mechanics measuredPups born from mothers exposed to cigarette smoke (CS, n=17) were significantly lighter (6.76±0.76 g vs. 7.72±0.68 g) and had lower lung volumes (0.123±0.02 mL vs. 0.149±0.02 mL) than control (Air, n=20) pups. Respiratory mechanics were adversely impacted by CS exposure. CS pups had higher baseline airway resistance (Raw), tissue damping (G) and tissue elastance (H). These differences were largely due to lower lung volumes. Both G and H were increased excessively in CS pups at high transrespiratory pressures, while other parameters were not affected. There were no histological differences between groups.in utero tobacco smoke exposure significantly impacts growth and development in BALB/c mice. These impacts may partially explain the susceptibility of infants born to smoking mothers to early respiratory disease and chronic respiratory disease as adults.