TY - JOUR T1 - <em>In utero</em> cigarette smoke exposure impairs somatic and lung growth in BALB/c mice JF - European Respiratory Journal JO - Eur Respir J SP - 932 LP - 938 DO - 10.1183/09031936.00156910 VL - 38 IS - 4 AU - A.N. Larcombe AU - R.E. Foong AU - L.J. Berry AU - G.R. Zosky AU - P.D. Sly Y1 - 2011/10/01 UR - http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/38/4/932.abstract N2 - The aim of this study was to assess whether in utero tobacco smoke exposure alone affects early-life lung growth and development. Pregnant BALB/c mice were exposed to cigarette smoke from six cigarettes per day, or air, from day 8 to 20 of gestation. At 2 weeks of age, pups were weighed and had their lung volumes and lung mechanics measured. Pups born from mothers exposed to cigarette smoke (CS pups; n=17) were significantly lighter (6.76±0.76 versus 7.72±0.68 g) and had lower lung volumes (0.123±0.02 versus 0.149±0.02 mL) than control pups (n=20). Respiratory mechanics were adversely impacted by cigarette smoke exposure. CS pups had higher baseline airway resistance, tissue damping and tissue elastance. These differences were largely due to lower lung volumes. Both tissue damping and elastance 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 affects 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. ER -