Hyperoxia inhibits pulmonary bioenergetics, causing delayed alveolarization in mice. We hypothesized that mechanical ventilation (MV) also causes a failure of bioenergetics to support alveolarization. To test this hypothesis, neonatal mice were ventilated with room air for 8 hours (prolonged) or for 2 hours (brief) with 15 ml/g (aggressive) tidal volume (Tv), or for 8 hours with 8 ml/g (gentle) Tv. After 24 hours or 10 days of recovery, lung mitochondria were examined for adenosine diphosphate (ADP)-phosphorylating respiration, using complex I (C-I)-dependent, complex II (C-II)-dependent, or cytochrome C oxidase (C-IV)-dependent substrates, ATP production rate, and the activity of C-I and C-II. A separate cohort of mice was exposed to 2,4-dinitrophenol (DNP), a known uncoupler of oxidative phosphorylation. At 10 days of recovery, pulmonary alveolarization and the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) were assessed. Sham-operated littermates were used as control mice. At 24 hours after aggressive MV, mitochondrial ATP production rates and the activity of C-I and C-II were significantly decreased compared with control mice. However, at 10 days of recovery, only mice exposed to prolonged-aggressive MV continued to exhibit significantly depressed mitochondrial respiration. This was associated with significantly poorer alveolarization and VEGF expression. In contrast, mice exposed to brief-aggressive or prolonged-gentle MV exhibited restored mitochondrial ADPphosphorylation, normal alveolarization and pulmonary VEGF content. Exposure to DNP fully replicated the phenotype consistent with alveolar developmental arrest. Our data suggest that the failure of bioenergetics to support normal lung development caused by aggressive and prolonged ventilation should be considered a fundamental mechanism for the development of bronchopulmonary dysplasia in premature neonates.Keywords: mechanical ventilation; mitochondrial dysfunction; alveolarization; bioenergetics; mouse model of BPD Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is one of the most common complications of prematurity. BPD remains the leading cause of long-term morbidity in infants born prematurely (1-3). The exact mechanisms responsible for the development of BPD remain poorly understood. This limits the introduction of highly demanded effective therapeutic strategies against this devastating disease.In addition to prematurity, multiple risk factors are also associated with the development of BPD, including a prolonged exposure to hyperoxia, the use of mechanical ventilation (MV), sepsis, fluid overload, and the presence of patent ductus arteriosus (4). Importantly, despite the diversity of these risk factors, BPD has received a unique pathological definition, namely, a failure of alveolar development. This implies the existence of a common mechanism responsible for the arrest of alveolar growth and development in premature neonates.In premature infants, it is well-established that the use of MV and exposure to a high concentration of oxygen are associated w...