Effect of platelet-activating factor on bovine pulmonary function

The objectives of this study were to determine whether the infusion of platelet-activating factor would modify bovine pulmonary function, heart rate and platelet count and whether and such modifications could be antagonised bg the prior intravenous injection of a specific antagonist (WEB 2086), in saline-pretreated calves, the respiratory rate, total lung resistance (R-L) and maximal changes in transpulmonary pressure were significantly increased whereas lung dynamic lance (c(L)dyn), tidal volume (V-T), platelet count and heart rate were significantly decreased. The changes in R-L, C(L)dyn, V-T and Delta P-tp were abolished by pretreatment with WEB 2086, whereas respiratory rate remained significantly increased to 125 per cent of the baseline value, but less than in the saline-pretreated calves in which it was 250 per cent of the baseline value.