Pulmonary physiology of the ferret and its potential as a model for inhalation toxicology.

Physiological measurements were made from anesthetized, tracheotomized, supine male ferrets. Six animals weighing 576 +/- 12 g, had tidal volumes (Vt) of 6.06 +/- 0.30 ml, respiratory frequencies (f) of 26.7 +/- 3.9 min(-1), dynamic lung compliance (CDYN) of 2.48 +/- 0.21 ml cmH2O(-1), pulmonary resistance (RL) of 22.56 +/- 1.61 cmH2O L(-1) sec. Pressure-volume curves from nine ferrets (including the above six) revealed almost infinitely compliant chest walls so that lung and total respiratory system curves were essentially the same. Total lung capacity (TLC) (89 +/- 5 ml) and functional residual capacity (FRC) (17.8 +/- 2.0 ml) were determined by gas freeing the lungs in vivo. The TLC of these ferrets was about the same as in 2.5 kg rabbits. Maximum expiratory flow-volume curves showed peak flows of 10.1 vital capacities (VC) sec(-1) at 75% VC and flows of 8.4 and 5.4 VC sec(-1) at 50% and 25% VC. No particular problems were encountered in making these measurements using conventional techniques available in laboratories capable of making pulmonary function measurements on rats and guinea pigs. Preliminary studies of airways reactivity showed equal increases in pulmonary resistance in response to equivalent challenges of aerosolized carbachol and histamine. Light and electron microscopic studies showed that the airways of ferrets are even more like those of humans than are the dog's. The ease with which physiological measurements can be made and the favorable aspects of the lung anatomy indicate the ferret may be more useful, as well as less expensive, than the dog for use in studies of pulmonary physiology and inhalation toxicology.