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Institute of Reproduction and Development, Monash Medical Centre, Clayton, Victoria, Australia.

1. The volume of liquid in the lungs of the fetal lamb is reported to fall in the final days of gestation and during labour itself. We aimed to test the hypothesis that this fall in liquid volume adapts the lungs for air breathing and pulmonary gas exchange. 2. In twelve chronically catheterized fetal lambs we measured lung liquid volume at 140 days gestation (term is 147 days) and then delivered the fetuses by Caesarean section under maternal spinal anaesthesia. In five fetuses we removed approximately half the liquid contained in the lungs just before delivery (experimental group) while the remaining seven fetuses were delivered without change to their lung liquid (control group). 3. Lambs born with reduced lung liquid volume improved their arterial blood gas and acid-base status more quickly than lambs born without alteration to lung liquid. 4. Carotid arterial blood gas values in the first 60 min of postnatal life were significantly related to the volume of liquid present in the lungs at birth, with higher arterial partial pressure of oxygen (Pa,02) and arterial oxygen saturation (Sa,02) and lower arterial partial pressure of carbon dioxide (Pa,CO2) levels being associated with lower lung liquid volumes. 5. We conclude that postnatal gas exchange is enhanced by a reduction in the volume of liquid remaining in the lungs when breathing starts.