Stereological and biophysical characteristics of the ovine surfactant system and its changes caused by ovine pulmonary adenocarcinoma

The methods used are suitable to determine intraalveolar and intracellular surfactant subtypes in OPA sheep and controls. OPA sheep showed more lamellar body-like forms, multivesicular vesicles and tubular myelin in BALF compared to controls. These higher amounts of active surfactant subtypes might be a consequence of a higher surfactant production and release. Surfactant subtypes in AEII of OPA sheep showed smaller and more immature lamellar bodies compared to controls. The surfactant surface activity of OPA sheep does not show obvious defects. In conclusion, the general quality of surfactant in OPA appears to be equivalent to surfactant produced in controls, however, dyspnea of OPA might be triggered by quantity of fluid production.