Arterial oxygen (PaO2) and carbon dioxide (PaCO2) tensions and pH were determined in 20 lambs during development from two weeks to five months of age and in 34 adult sheep. Throughout the period the lambs' mean PaCO2 (33.1 mm Hg) and pH (7.46) values were similar to those determined in the adult sheep (PaCO232.1 mm Hg; pH 7.48). The lamb's mean PaO2 increased from 63.3 mm Hg at two weeks of age to about 80 mm Hg at eight weeks and by 20 weeks was similar to the mean PaO2 (88.0 mm Hg) of adult sheep.