We have investigated the relative efficacy of a range of natural and synthetic retinoids on the induction of alveolar regeneration in a dexamethasone treated mouse model. The aim was to explore the roles of the different retinoic acid receptors using receptor selective agonists and whether other natural retinoids in addition to all-trans-retinoic acid (tRA) were effective. Dexamethasone treatment of newborn pups led to a reduced lung surface area and increased mean chord length (Lm). Subsequently, tRA induced alveolar repair, improved the Lm and improved the lung surface area to volume ratio. We found that 4-oxo-RA and a RAR selective compound were as effective as tRA at inducing alveolar regeneration with neither showing a significantly better efficacy. A RAR selective compound was also effective whereas a RAR selective compound was not. Other retinoids such as 9-cis-RA, 13-cis-RA, retinol and a pan RXR agonist do not induce significant responses. Neither did another compound, granulocyte colony stimulating factor. We also showed that a RAR null mutant mouse line responded to dexamethasone by failing to develop alveoli appropriately and that tRA induced a degree of alveolar regeneration suggesting that RAR was not required for the regenerative response.