Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “FLUIDS”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMedDate not supplied

Fluid-fluid levels within focal hepatic lesions: imaging appearance and etiology.

PURPOSE: To report our experience with fluid-fluid levels within focal hepatic lesions and determine if this finding indicates a specific diagnosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed our experience with eight patients with focal hepatic lesions that showed fluid-fluid level on cross-sectional imaging. Seven CT scans, four MR examinations, and four sonograms were reviewed. The hepatic lesions included metastases (four patients), biliary cystadenoma (two patients), cavernous hemangioma (one patient), and hematoma (one patient). A histologic diagnosis was made in all cases. RESULTS: Fluid-fluid levels were found in both malignant and benign focal hepatic lesions. Fluid-fluid levels were seen on six CT scans, four MR examinations and on none of the four sonograms. Radiologic-pathologic correlation showed that fluid-fluid levels corresponded to internal hemorrhage in all but one case. In the case of cavernous hemangioma, a fluid-fluid level was found to correspond to a sedimentation effect within a large vascular space. CONCLUSION: Fluid-fluid levels in focal hepatic lesions do not indicate a specific diagnosis but can be seen in both malignant and benign conditions affecting the liver.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Cyst fluid from a murine model of polycystic kidney disease stimulates fluid secretion, cyclic adenosine monophosphate accumulation, and cell proliferation by Madin-Darby canine kidney cells in vitro.

Cyst fluids from subjects with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) cause polarized monolayers of MDCK cells to secrete fluid toward the apical compartment in vitro. To determine the extent to which secretagogue accumulation may be a general feature of polycystic diseases, cyst fluid from mice with a slowly progressive form of hereditary PKD (DBA/2FG-pcy/pcy) was added to polarized MDCK monolayers. Basolateral application of cyst fluids (diluted with culture medium to 15% final concentration) from 13 different animals 16 to 35 weeks old increased the fluid secretion rate from a baseline of 0.023 +/- 0.003 to 0.111 +/- 0.017 microL/cm2/h (P < 0.005). There was a direct relation between the concentration of cyst fluid and the rate of net fluid secretion. The secretory activity of cyst fluid was not altered by pronase treatment or boiling. Cyst fluid (10%) added to the basolateral surfaces of polarized MDCK monolayers for 24 hours increased cell cyclic adenosine monophosphate (AMP) levels from a baseline of 6.3 +/- 0.2 to 17.3 +/- 0.3 pmoles/monolayer (n = 3, P < 0.05). The capacity of cyst fluid to increase cyclic AMP levels was not changed by pronase treatment or boiling. There was a direct relation between the level of cellular cyclic AMP and the rate of transepithelial fluid secretion caused by cyst fluid. Cyst fluid increased thymidine incorporation by Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells to an extent equal to that caused by epidermal growth factor and caused MDCK cells to form cysts in collagen matricies.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗
PubMed2004

Fluid therapy in the neonate: not your mother's fluid space.

Fluid therapy is a universally used therapeutic modality in critical care patients. To effectively deliver fluids to neonates., an understanding of their fluid physiology is necessary. Neonates, as they make the transition from fetal physiology, have increased capillary filtration and a compliant interstitium producing a large ISF reserve. This reserve helps the neonate to adapt to fluid challenges, serving as a ready source of fluids in times of need, but it also frustrates therapeutic fluid administration by damping the effect of intravenous fluid therapy when treating hypovolemia. Additionally,it explains the difficulty neonates have in handling fluid overload. Successful treatment of hypovolemia requires aggressive volume repletion using 20-mL/kg fluid boluses. Once euvolemia is restored and ongoing losses are replaced, maintenance fluid rates should be conservative so as to avoid fluid overload. The neonate's unique sodium handling must also be recognized. Many critical neonates benefit from sodium restriction, whereas others may have high ongoing losses and require careful sodium replacement therapy. Careful attention to fluid therapy formulation ensures positive fluid support without adding to the physiologic stress of the critical neonate.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Atelectasis and subpulmonic fluid: a CT pitfall in distinguishing pleural from peritoneal fluid.

The ability to distinguish between pleural and peritoneal fluid is important in the management of patients with peridiaphragmatic fluid collections. The differentiation of subphrenic fluid from pleural effusion by CT may be difficult and requires a detailed understanding of the normal appearance of the diaphragm on transaxial images. We report 12 patients in whom peridiaphragmatic fluid collections could potentially be misinterpreted as peritoneal rather than pleural fluid. In all cases the presence of subsegmental, basilar atelectasis with subpulmonic fluid created confusing CT images. Subsegmental atelectasis formed a curvilinear band at the lung base that simulated the hemidiaphragm. Fluid anterior to the atelectasis caused a false impression of subdiaphragmatic (peritoneal) fluid. Computed tomography through the upper abdomen excluded intraabdominal fluid in all cases. In four cases ultrasonography confirmed fluid in a supradiaphragmatic, subpulmonic location, excluded peritoneal fluid, and identified subsegmental atelectasis. The presence of subpulmonic fluid and subsegmental atelectasis requires meticulous interpretation of transaxial CT images to avoid the incorrect localization of peridiaphragmatic fluid collections.

Ascitic Fluid↗
PubMed2000

Cerebrospinal fluid tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-1beta, interleukin-6, and interleukin-8 as diagnostic markers of cerebrospinal fluid infection in neurosurgical patients.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether cerebrospinal fluid concentrations of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, interleukin (IL)-1beta, IL-6, or IL-8 may be used as diagnostic markers for the differential diagnosis of aseptic vs. bacterial meningitis and/or ventriculitis in neurosurgical patients. DESIGN: Prospective, observational study. SETTING: University teaching hospital. SUBJECTS: A total of 112 cerebrospinal fluid samples from 14 asymptomatic patients with normal cerebrospinal fluid after neurosurgery, 27 asymptomatic and 19 symptomatic patients with postneurosurgical aseptic meningitis, 32 patients with postneurosurgical cerebrospinal fluid infection, and 20 with severe subarachnoid and/or cerebral hemorrhage. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Specific ELISA kits were used to analyze TNF-alpha, IL-1beta, IL-6, and IL-8 concentrations on cerebrospinal fluid samples. Elevations in cerebrospinal fluid concentrations of TNF-alpha, IL-1beta, IL-6, and IL-8 were induced by different diseases or neurosurgical procedures, but cerebrospinal fluid bacterial infection induced the highest concentrations. To discriminate between aseptic cerebrospinal fluid pleocytosis and cerebrospinal fluid infection with a specificity of 95%, cerebrospinal fluid leukocyte count >1700/mL, TNF-alpha >150 pg/mL, and IL-1beta >90 pg/mL showed sensitivities of 51%, 74%, and 90%, respectively. Sufficiently sensitive and specific cutoff points could not be found for cerebrospinal fluid IL-6 or IL-8. CONCLUSION: Cerebrospinal fluid IL-1beta appears to be the best biochemical marker of cerebrospinal fluid infection in neurosurgical patients.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

Ductal lavage of fluid-yielding and non-fluid-yielding ducts in BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutation carriers and other women at high inherited breast cancer risk.

OBJECTIVE: Nipple fluid production and atypical breast duct cells in women at high risk of breast cancer have been associated with further increased risk. Most publications on ductal lavage for cell collection report cannulating fluid-yielding ducts only. We report lavage of fluid-yielding and non-fluid-yielding ducts in women at high inherited breast cancer risk. METHODS: A pilot breast cancer screening study including ductal lavage was conducted in 75 women at high inherited risk, 56 (74.7%) of whom had BRCA1/2 mutations. Ductal lavage was attempted in any duct identifiable with a catheter. RESULTS: Ducts were successfully catheterized in 60 of 75 patients (80%). Successfully catheterized patients were younger (median age 41 versus 53 years, P = 0.0003) and more often premenopausal (51.7% versus 20%, P = 0.041). Thirty-one successfully catheterized patients [51.6%, 95% confidence interval (39.4-63.9%)] had non-fluid-yielding ducts only. Seventeen patients [28.3% (18.5-40.9%)] had atypical cells. Twelve of seventeen [70.6% (46.8-87.2%)] samples with atypia were from non-fluid-yielding ducts. Patients with non-fluid-yielding ducts (versus fluid-yielding ducts) were more likely to have had prior cancer (48.4% versus 17.2%, P = 0.014) or chemotherapy (45.2% versus 17.2%, P = 0.027); this was also true in patients with atypia from non-fluid-yielding ducts. CONCLUSION: Successfully lavaged women were younger and more often premenopausal. Atypical cells can be found in non-fluid-yielding ducts in patients at high inherited breast cancer risk. Non-fluid-yielding ducts, and atypia from non-fluid-yielding ducts, are more common in patients with prior cancer and chemotherapy. Larger studies are needed to identify risk factors and prognostic significance associated with atypia and non-fluid-yielding ducts in high-risk populations, and define their role as biomarkers.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Relationships between pleural fluid pH, PCO2 to pleural fluid PO2, amylase, protein, glucose and white cells in tuberculous and malignant effusions.

The relationships between pleural fluid pH and PO2 to pleural fluid PO2, amylase, protein, glucose, white cell count were examined in 110 cases of tuberculous and 140 cases of malignant pleural effusions. Pleural fluid amylase concentrations of 200 or more units/ml indicated malignant effusions rather than tuberculous effusions with a specificity of 92.7 per cent and sensitivity of 27.1 per cent. There was evidence which suggested that the increasing pleural fluid amylase concentrations were due to the excessive leakage of serum amylase into the pleural cavity secondary to the break-down of capillaries by tuberculosis and malignancy as well as the production of amylase by tumor cells invading the pleura. The decreasing pleural fluid pH and increasing pleural fluid PCO2 had a significant linear relationship with decreasing fluid PO2, increasing pleural fluid protein and decreasing fluid glucose. These indicated a leakage of serum protein into the pleural cavity and the over-utilization of glucose relative to the transport defect of low pleural fluid glucose concentrations in the acidotic fluid of tuberculous and malignant effusions. No relationship between pleural fluid pH and PCO2 to pleural fluid and white cell count was found in the present study.

Adult↗
PubMed1981

Effects of fluid resuscitation on total fluid loss following thermal injury.

Plasma volume loss, cardiac output and hematocrit values have been measured in anesthetized dogs receiving a 15 per cent total body surface area third degree flame burn before and two, four and six hours postburn. One group of dogs received no fluid resuscitation. Five groups of dogs received fluid resuscitation with varying percentages of albumin added to the Ringer's lactate solution. Results of this study show that total fluid loss from the vascular bed increased as the result of fluid resuscitation. The amount of increase in total fluid loss was dependent upon the percentage of albumin in the resuscitation fluid. The higher the percentage of albumin, the lower the amount of total fluid loss. Following fluid resuscitation, cardiac output improved and the hematocrit level decreased toward normal. The amount of change of these variables was also related to the percentage of albumin in the resuscitation fluid. The greatest improvement in these variables was observed in that group of dogs receiving the greatest percentage of albumin in the resuscitation fluid. These results demonstrate that the administration of resuscitation fluid improves cardiovascular function following thermal injury and that the amount of improvement is related to the percentage of albumin present in fluid used for resuscitation.

Animals↗
PubMed1975

Relationship between absolute body-fluid deficits and fluid intake in the rat.

Acute absolute body-fluid deficits were induced in rats by injection of the diuretic drug furosemide, which caused up to 20% reduction of extracellular fluid volume and up to 2% reduction of intracellular fluid volume. Water and .3 M NaCl were subsequently made available to allow the rats to replace their body fluids by drinking. The rats increased their intake of both fluids, but replaced less than half of the total deficit, thereby tolerating larger and larger voluntary body-fluid deficits as the size of the diuretic fluid loss increased. Plasma measures showed that the rats sustained hypovolemia after drinking, while intracellular fluid volume was apparently restored. Fluid-depleted rats drank normally in response to intracellular dehydration induced by a sodium chloride load. Incomplete restoration of body-fluid balance after body-fluid depletion is due to a failure to drink in response to extracellular dehydration.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Appraisal of cerebrospinal fluid alterations during aortic surgery with intrathecal papaverine administration and cerebrospinal fluid drainage.

We have previously described a technique for intrathecal administration of papaverine and cerebrospinal fluid drainage to prevent paraplegia after aortic surgery. Herein we report the cerebrospinal fluid and hemodynamic alterations that occurred in 11 patients who had 30 mg of a specially prepared papaverine hydrochloride 10% dextrose solution injected before aortic cross-clamping and also had cerebrospinal fluid drainage. A mean of 26.6 ml (SD +/- 7.1 ml) was drained before and 34.6 ml (SD +/- 24.1 ml) was drained during aortic cross-clamping. The cerebrospinal fluid pressure increased significantly with anesthetic induction (p less than 0.03), during the period between anesthetic induction and cerebrospinal fluid drainage (p less than 0.005), and with aortic cross-clamping (p less than 0.05). These cerebrospinal fluid pressure alterations were similar to central venous pressure increases with a significant linear correlation between cerebral spinal fluid pressure and central venous pressure before anesthetic induction (r2 = 0.81, p less than 0.005), and both before (r2 = 0.94, p less than 0.005) and after (r2 = 0.74, p less than 0.005) aortic cross-clamping. As expected, cerebrospinal fluid pressure was significantly reduced by cerebrospinal fluid drainage before aortic cross-clamping (p less than 0.001). The administration of intrathecal papaverine had no significant effect on mean arterial pressure, systemic vascular resistance, cerebrospinal fluid pressure, nor the pH of cerebrospinal fluid. Neither were there any complications noted related to the technique. All the patients survived, and no new immediate postoperative paraparesis or paraplegia occurred.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Aorta↗
PubMed2005

The effect of ovarian follicular fluid and peritoneal fluid on Fallopian tube ciliary beat frequency.

BACKGROUND: The Fallopian tube undergoes well-recognized changes during the ovarian cycle. Ciliary beat frequency (CBF) increases during the secretory phase of the cycle. The stimulus is unknown, although CBF is known to be hormone responsive. At ovulation, follicular fluid is released into the peritoneal cavity and enters the Fallopian tube. We hypothesized that this fluid may provide the stimulus for the increase in CBF detected after ovulation. METHODS: Using a technique which records changes in light intensity, we have studied the effect of pre-ovulatory follicular fluid on CBF of Fallopian tube epithelial cells, and compared this with the effect of either peritoneal fluid or culture medium alone. Follicular fluid samples from 13 women undergoing IVF were collected by selective aspiration of individual follicles. Peritoneal fluid was collected from six women undergoing laparoscopic sterilization. Fallopian tubes were collected from 10 women who underwent hysterectomy for benign conditions. RESULTS: After 24 h incubation, there was a highly significant difference in CBF between the Fallopian tube samples bathed in follicular fluid (mean CBF +/- SEM: 6.34 +/- 0.02 Hz) compared with explants bathed in either medium (4.20 +/- 0.06 Hz) or peritoneal fluid (5.24 +/- 0.03 Hz) (P < 0.005). There was also a significant difference in CBF between tissues bathed in secretory (5.47 +/- 0.03 Hz) compared with proliferative phase peritoneal fluid (4.75 +/- 0.02 Hz) (P < 0.005). CONCLUSIONS: The increase in CBF detected after ovulation may aid ovum pick-up and transport along the Fallopian tube. Factor(s) within human follicular fluid and secretory phase peritoneal fluid may be responsible for this increase in CBF.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Biochemical composition of amniotic fluid and extraembryonic coelomic fluid in the first trimester of pregnancy.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the biochemical composition of amniotic fluid and extraembryonic coelomic fluid between 8 and 12 weeks gestation. DESIGN: Prospective observational study. SUBJECTS: 40 women with a normal pregnancy between 7 and 12 weeks gestation having termination of pregnancy. INTERVENTIONS: Before termination the women had a transvaginal ultrasound guided amniocentesis. Pure samples of amniotic fluid and extraembryonic coelomic fluid were obtained from each woman and standard biochemical variables were measured in each fluid sample immediately after collection. RESULTS: Levels of sodium, potassium and bicarbonate were significantly higher in amniotic fluid whilst chloride, urea, bilirubin, protein, albumin, glucose, creatinine, calcium and phosphate were present in higher concentrations in extraembryonic coelomic fluid. All differences in concentration were significant (P less than 0.05; unpaired t-test). No relation was demonstrated between electrolyte concentrations in amniotic fluid or coelomic fluid and stage of gestation. CONCLUSIONS: Amniotic fluid and extraembryonic coelomic fluid have a widely differing biochemical composition. The biological significance of these differences remains unexplained.

Amnion↗
PubMed1971

Daily changes in amniotic and allantoic fluid during the last three months of pregnancy in conscious, unstressed ewes, with catheters in their foetal fluid sacs.

1. Catheters were inserted into the maternal and foetal vasculatures of ten ewes, 100-139 days pregnant, and daily samples of uterine and umbilical blood and maternal jugular vein blood were taken for periods of 5-27 days after operation.2. Catheters were inserted into the fluid sacs of nineteen foetuses, 60-97 days post-conception, and daily samples were withdrawn for up to 90 days from amniotic sacs (eleven foetuses) and for up to 70 days from allantoic sacs (eight foetuses). Maternal jugular plasma was obtained 3 times weekly and an approximation from its composition to that of uterine and umbilical plasma was made using results from the ewes and foetuses with vascular catheters.3. The pH, osmolality, [Na(+)], [K(+)], [Cl(-)], [urea] and [amino acid] of all samples were measured.4. The nutritional status of all ewes was monitored throughout pregnancy. Most lambs were born naturally at approximately 147 days post-conception and their subsequent progress was observed.5. Results at operation and from acute experiments were compared with those from conscious ewes and foetuses of the same gestational age to assess the nature and extent of the influence of the operative procedures on foetal fluid composition. The composition of amniotic fluid was influenced mainly by the anaesthetic and surgical procedures while that of allantoic fluid was affected largely by starvation of the ewe.6. Changes during recovery from operation were followed and indicated that maternal and foetal plasma required about 3 days and the foetal fluids up to 7 days before stability of composition was achieved.7. After recovery from operation, daily changes in the composition of each foetal fluid showed the same general pattern in all foetuses, but the absolute values of constituents sometimes showed large differences.8. It is suggested that flow of foetal urine into the amniotic sac increased from 80 days gestational age, that urine flow into the allantoic sac decreased until about 100 days but did not cease thereafter, and that relative to foetal urine the influence of foetal pulmonary fluid on amniotic fluid composition was not great.9. A relative impermeability of the amnion appeared to be a major factor influencing amniotic fluid composition, whereas pumping mechanisms in the chorioallantois seem to have been responsible largely for changes in the composition of allantoic fluid.10. The quantity of solute relative to that of water within each sac appears to be a major determinant of changes in foetal fluid volumes.11. Changes in the [Na(+)] and [K(+)] of allantoic fluid during the normal course of pregnancy were consistent with an increasing action of mineralo-corticoids on pumping mechanisms in the chorioallantois. Similar but more rapid changes seemed to be associated with acute and chronic episodes of maternal hypoglycaemia. Under these circumstances foetal hypoglycaemia may effect a relative increase in the secretion of foetal corticosteroids having an action on the chorioallantois.12. The results from this study demonstrate clearly the value of using chronically catheterized animals, and it is suggested that their use in physiological studies on the conceptus must eventually supersede that of acute, anaesthetized preparations.

Amino Acids↗
PubMed1990

Endocrine and fluid-balance responses to amniotic and allantoic fluid loss in sheep.

Our aim was to determine fetal and maternal endocrine and fluid-balance responses to prolonged loss of amniotic and allantoic fluids in sheep. In seven sheep, amniotic and allantoic fluids were drained [379.1 +/- 20.1 (SE) ml/day] from 107 to 135.3 +/- 0.6 days of gestation (term: 145 days). The results from these sheep were compared with those from seven control sheep. Maternal water intake, urine production, and urine osmolality were not altered by fluid drainage, nor were fetal and maternal arterial blood gases, pH, or plasma osmolalities. Fluid drainage increased amniotic, but not allantoic, fluid osmolality. Maternal plasma cortisol concentration increased with fluid drainage, but maternal plasma concentrations of prolactin and arginine vasopressin were unchanged. Fluid drainage increased prolactin concentrations in fetal plasma and amniotic fluid, but fetal plasma concentrations of cortisol (hydrocortisone), arginine vasopressin, norepinephrine, and epinephrine were unchanged. Our results show that the fetus is capable of maintaining its plasma osmolality despite prolonged loss of fluid from its amniotic and allantoic sacs and that this is associated with alterations in the production rate and the composition of amniotic fluid.

Allantoin↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Subjective ultrasonographic assessment of amniotic fluid depth: comparison with the amniotic fluid index.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the ability to identify abnormalities in amniotic fluid volume by subjective ultrasonographic assessment compared to a semiobjective method. In 886 consecutive ultrasound examinations subjective assessment of the amniotic fluid volume was performed and graded into 3 categories: normal, decreased, and increased. Following that, a four-quadrant sum (amniotic fluid index) was performed by the same experienced ultrasonographer and divided into 3 categories using the 5th and 95th percentiles. The sensitivity of the subjective analysis to diagnose a decreased amniotic fluid volume when compared with the amniotic fluid index was 58% (95% confidence interval, CI: 40-70%), with a false-positive rate of 17% (CI 8-32%). The sensitivity of the subjective analysis to diagnose an increased amniotic fluid volume when compared with the amniotic fluid index was 100% (CI 70-100%). However, the false-positive rate was 74% (CI 55-85%). Diagnosis of a normal amount of amniotic fluid by the subjective technique had a sensitivity of 96% (CI 95-97%) and a false-positive rate of 3% (CI 2-4%). Subjective ultrasonographic assessment of the amniotic fluid volume may serve as a screening test for the experienced ultrasonographer. However, when a decreased or increased amount of amniotic fluid volume is suspected, one may elect to use the amniotic fluid index for confirmation of the subjective impression.

Amniotic Fluid↗
PubMed2002

Treatments to promote colonic hydration: enteral fluid therapy versus intravenous fluid therapy and magnesium sulphate.

Although large intestine impactions are commonly treated with i.v. fluids combined with the osmotic laxative MgSO4, enteral fluids are less expensive and also appear to be efficacious for impactions. Therefore, this study was conducted to compare the systemic and gastrointestinal effects of enteral fluids with the changes produced by i.v. fluids combined with MgSO4. Four horses with a fistula in the right dorsal colon alternately received both treatments in 2 periods one week apart. Sixty litres of fluids were administered continuously (10 l/h) through a venous catheter or a nasogastric tube. Magnesium sulphate (1 g/kg bwt) was administered via nasogastric tube before i.v. fluid therapy. Two horses had mild abdominal discomfort at the end of enteral fluid therapy. Pollakiuria, hypostenuria, increased bodyweight, increased faecal and ingesta hydration, and decreased PCV, plasma protein and plasma magnesium were produced by both treatments. Abdominal distention and more pronounced changes in bodyweight and ingesta hydration were seen with enteral fluids. Intravenous fluids plus MgSO4 produced hypocalcaemia and more pronounced changes in plasma protein. These results indicate that enteral fluid therapy is more effective in promoting ingesta hydration and produces less pronounced systemic effects than i.v. fluid therapy plus MgSO4.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

[Comparative study of the lipid composition of seminal fluid and ovulatory peritoneal fluid in humans].

Sperm capacitation is accompanied by changes in the lipid composition of the sperm membrane. The purpose of this study is to compare the lipid composition of the semen with that of peritoneal fluid. These two media have opposite effects on sperm capacitation. Cholesterol, triglyceride and phospholipids were measured in seminal fluid (15 specimens) obtained by sperm centrifugation immediately after liquefaction and in the peritoneal fluid at ovulation (15 specimens) obtained through transvaginal puncture. The lipid composition of these two media is different from that of serum. Seminal fluid is characterized by a high level of phospholipids, 14.79 +/- 3.67 g/l as against 0.53 +/- 0.12 g/l in peritoneal fluid. The level of cholesterol is identical in the two media. The cholesterol/phospholipid ratio is therefore lower in seminal fluid than in peritoneal fluid (0.022/0.79). Lecithins are raised in peritoneal fluid as are sphingomyelins and the phosphatidylethanolamines, which are the most important phospholipids in seminal fluid. It therefore can be postulated that the cholesterol/phospholipid ratio, which is low in seminal fluid, and its richness in sphingomyelin brings about stabilization of the membrane cover which corresponds to a decapacitated state, whereas the cholesterol/phospholipid ratio, which is higher in peritoneal fluid, makes for greater fluidity, and this corresponds to the state of capacitation. These preliminary results obtained from human material do not in any way contradict those obtained from animal studies.

Ascitic Fluid↗