Using a preterm rat model we quantified mRNA expression and investigated the temporal and spatial expression of surfactant proteins (SP) A, B, C and D, and Clara cell secretory protein (CC10) at the mRNA level and SP-A, -B and CC10 at the protein level during normal neonatal pulmonary development and in experimental BPD induced by oxidative stress. This evidence concerns the gene SCGB1A1 and bronchopulmonary dysplasia.