| Popis: |
The fetus in utero generates heat that has to be dissipated via the mother. Immediately after birth, the fetus must be capable above all of responding quickly and efficiently to heat loss to cooler surroundings. Fetal, perinatal and neonatal heat production and temperature regulation have been the focus of experimental research during the last three decades (1–3). Our work has concentrated on the sheep fetus, and thus the following brief overview will outline the principles of fetal thermal homeostasis. Most animal studies in this field have been performed on chronically instrumented, unanesthetized fetal sheep at gestational ages from 120 to 139 days (term 145 days). Fetal weight during this period is in the range of 2.5 to 4 kg. |
