EN
The aim of the present study was the comparative analysis of morphological changes found in the pulmonary microcirculation of pregnant rabbits in the course of experimental septic shock induced by endotoxin administration. Sixteen female rabbits, white Dutch, c.3 kg of mean body weight were used in the experiments. The endotoxin of Escherichia coli, serotype S.0127:138 (Sigma) was applied intraperitoneally in a single dose of 100 μg/kg b.w. Morphological examinations were based on the ultrastructural analysis with the transmission electron microscope. Severe damage of endothelial cells (necrosis inclusive) was observed in endotoxin-treated rabbits. The vascular lumen in these animals showed cellular aggregation of neutrophils and platelets in particular, as well as microthrombi. Some of the blood vessels showed fragments of megakaryocytes. An increased tendency towards the development of these changes was noted in pregnant rabbits. The study confirmed that the lungs may be an important site of extramedullary thrombopoiesis in the course of septic shock especially during pregnancy.