The experimental production of hyaline membranes in premature rhesus monkeys.

When premature rhesus monkeys are ventilated with oxygen or air, hyaline membranes are formed within 5 minutes in alveolar ducts and respiratory bronchioles. Studies with fluorescein-labeled antiserum to porcine pepsinogen provide evidence that the monkey fetuses have aspirated gastric fluid. The findings suggest that some component of gastric fluid plays an important role in the formation of the hyaline membranes, either directly by causing necrosis of susceptible bronchiolar epithelium or secondarily by sensitizing the bronchiolar epithelium to another necrotizing agent such as oxygen.