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PubMedDate not supplied

[Relaxin in amniotic fluid and serum of pregnant patients].

Relaxin was measured in serum and amniotic fluid of 136 pregnant women between the 12th and 38th gestational week by means of a new human relaxin-RIA. The pregnancies consisted of 111 pathology-free single fetuses, 10 with rhesus incompatibility, 7 with chromosomal aberration and 8 with sonographic diagnosed abnormalities. Relaxin could be detected in all samples tested the levels being ten times lower in amniotic fluid compared to serum. Serum relaxin levels showed a slight but not statistically significant decrease with increasing gestational age, in amniotic fluid relaxin values were consistent over the course of pregnancy. The ratio of amniotic fluid to serum relaxin displayed a statistically significant increase from the 12th to 23rd week of pregnancy. Individual courses of relaxin concentration in amniotic fluid revealed only low intra-individual variations but distinct inter-individual differences.

Adult↗
PubMed1984

Zinc concentration of amniotic fluid in the course of pregnancy and its relationship to fetal weight and length.

The interest of the zinc content of amniotic fluid and its relationship to different maternal and fetal parameters is recent. It was reported that the zinc content of amniotic fluid increases in the course of pregnancy probably as an indirect indicator of an increased rate of protein synthesis. These considerations and the known important metabolic role of zinc led us to study the zinc content of amniotic fluid and its importance in the growth and development of the fetus. Amniotic fluid samples of 24 women with normal pregnancies and normal term deliveries were studied. The samples were obtained between weeks 29 and 42 of gestation by transabdominal amniocentesis and the zinc content was determined by means of atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The zinc content of amniotic fluid increases significantly during the third trimester. A positive linear correlation was found between the zinc concentration of amniotic fluid and fetal weight and length. Fetal growth and development would depend on the zinc available due to its biological functions and thus the increase of zinc concentration of amniotic fluid in the last weeks of gestation and its correlation with fetal weight and length. These results suggest that the determination of zinc content of amniotic fluid can be useful in the assessment of fetal development and well-being, and of course of pregnancy.

Amniotic Fluid↗
PubMed2002

Dye-dilution techniques using aminohippurate sodium: do they accurately reflect amniotic fluid volume?

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether the dye-dilution technique using aminohippurate sodium accurately measures amniotic fluid volume. METHODS: Singleton pregnancies with intact membranes undergoing a Cesarean delivery had their amniotic fluid volume assessed by the dye-dilution technique and direct measurement. RESULTS: Fifteen women were prospectively assessed. Six patients had their amniocentesis on the delivery table and nine patients at 4-24 h prior to the Cesarean delivery. The six women undergoing an amniocentesis just before delivery had good concordance between the dye-determined and direct measurement of amniotic fluid volume (r = 0.99, p = < 0.001). Among the nine women with varying times from amniocentesis to direct measurement, the correlation was not significant (r = 0.36, p = 0.08). The percentage difference between the dye-determined and directly measured amniotic fluid volume was significantly smaller in the women undergoing amniocentesis just prior to delivery (7%) than in the women with varying times from amniocentesis to delivery (37%, P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Dye-determined amniotic fluid volume accurately reflects actual amniotic fluid volume but the dye-determined concentrations, in vivo, may undergo rapid changes.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1976

Prenatal sex determination by observation of the X-chromatin and the Y-chromatin of exfoliated amniotic fluid cells.

Using direct smears of amniotic fluid cells fixed by the flame drying technic, the validity of sex determination by X-chromatin and Y-chromatin counts has been examined. In 112 cases, the sex determination by examination of the X-chromatin was correct in 109 (97%) and was correct by the Y-chromatin technic in 111 (99%). It is concluded that prenatal sex determination by examination of the X-chromatin or the Y-chromatin from fresh amniotic fluid cells is a valuable, rapid, practical method of prenatal sex determination.

Amniotic Fluid↗
PubMed1978

Fetal lung maturation: human amniotic fluid phosphatidate phosphohydrolase activity through normal gestation and its relation to the lecithin/sphingomyelin ratio.

In order to evaluate the relationship between the increase in amniotic fluid phosphatidate phosphohydrolase (PAPase) specific activity and the increase in the lecithin/sphingomyelin (L/S) ratio during normal human pregnancy, PAPase specific activity and the L/S ratio were measured in 171 amniotic fluid samples obtained from 164 women who were at 17 to 42 weeks' gestation. The increase in PAPase specific activity in amniotic fluid is parallel to the increase in the L/S ratio. The correlation between PAPase specific activity and the L/S ratio in amniotic fluid from all gestational ages is highly significant. The relationship of PAPase specific activity in amniotic fluid to PAPase specific activity in gastric fluid was investigated in a study of 97 newborn infants. A highly significant correlation was found between these two values. To ascertain if a relationship exists between the specific activity of PAPase in amniotic fluid and the subsequent development of hyaline membrane disease (HMD), 223 neonates who were delivered within 72 hours of amniotic fluid collection were studied. Only one infant developed HMD out of 170 with amniotic fluid PAPase specific activity equal to or greater than 50 nmoles of orthophosphate released X mg.-1 of protein X hr.-1. On the other hand, the finding of an amniotic fluid PAPase specific activity of less than 50 nmoles was of little value in predicting lung immaturity. We believe that these findings are also supportive of the view that PAPase and surfactant are released from the type II pneumocyte as a closely related structural unit, viz., the lamellar body.

Amniotic Fluid↗
PubMed1985

Three methods compared for determining phosphatidylglycerol in amniotic fluid.

Phosphatidylglycerol is one component of amniotic fluid that is unaffected by several of the reported interferences with conventional thin-layer chromatographic measurement of phospholipid. To compare a rapid immunological agglutination test, "Amniostat-FLM", with two-dimensional thin-layer chromatography, we determined phosphatidylglycerol by both methods in 41 amniotic fluid specimens obtained at 31 to 40 weeks of gestation. We also assayed phosphatidylglycerol in 14 of these specimens by an enzymic, colorimetric procedure. The agglutination test is rapid and simple but relatively insensitive; it yielded positive results for only seven of 23 specimens in which phosphatidylglycerol was detected by thin-layer chromatography. In 18 specimens in which no phosphatidylglycerol was detected by thin-layer chromatography, results by Amniostat-FLM were also negative; however, eight of these specimens, assayed by the enzymic method, had phosphatidylglycerol present. Apparently, the Amniostat-FLM detects phosphatidylglycerol only at concentrations exceeding 25 mumol/L, or more than 15% of the total phospholipid composition.

Agglutination Tests↗
PubMed1994

Evaluation of amniotic fluid elastolytic activity: can it be a method of fetal lung maturity assessment? A comparison with Gluck's L/S test.

Amniotic fluid elastolytic activity was assessed in a group of 120 women who delivered preterm infants and in 35 women who delivered at term. Amniotic fluid elastolytic activity decreases as pregnancy progresses. The lecithin-to-sphingomyelin (L/S) ratio in women's amniotic fluid was determined by the method developed by Gluck and associates [6] and elastolytic activity by that developed by Mehdi and associates. A significant negative correlation was found between the amniotic fluid L/S ratio and amniotic fluid elastolytic activity (r = -0.932; p < 0.001). The border value of elastolytic activity that indicates lung maturity (L/S ratio equal to or greater than 2) is 2.01 +/- 0.05 mmol/min ml. In the amniotic elastolytic activity test, it is the value that differentiates mature from immature lungs. The amniotic fluid elastolytic activity test is characterized by high sensitivity (91.43%) and specificity (91.67%), high positive prognostic value (76.19%) and low negative prognostic value (2.65%). The test parameters do not therefore differ greatly from those of the Gluck test. Moreover, the amniotic fluid elastolytic activity test is cheaper and takes less time to perform.

Amniotic Fluid↗
PubMed1978

Stimulation of amniotic fluid cells by fibroblast growth factor.

Amniotic fluid cells were grown in modified Dulbecco's medium with and without the following additives in different combinations: fibroblast growth factor (FGF), dexamethasone (DME), insulin and cyclic GMP under controlled conditions. Experiments were also conducted with varying amounts of foetal calf serum and FGF to establish optimum levels. Comparative growth, determined by measuring 3H-thymidine uptake, showed that the combination of FGF, DME and insulin in medium with 20% foetal calf serum produced the highest growth rate. These experiments indicate that the culture time of amniotic fluid cells for chromosome studies could be reduced by 25%. FGF did not have any deleterious effect on the chromosomes.

Amniotic Fluid↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Correlation between fetal gastric size and amniotic fluid volume.

PURPOSE: Since abnormal conditions of the fetal digestive tract may alter both amniotic fluid volume and fetal gastric volume, we sought to determine whether amniotic fluid volume is correlated with fetal gastric volume in normal pregnancy. METHODS: A total of 280 fetal gastric size measurements were made prospectively from routine sonographic examinations of women with normal singleton pregnancies between 16 and 42 weeks of gestation. The fetal stomach was defined as the largest area including the pyloric site on transverse or oblique real-time sonographic scans. Gastric volume was calculated according to the formula for a prolate ellipsoid. The amniotic fluid index (AFI) was used for the evaluation of amniotic fluid volume. RESULTS: Both fetal gastric volume and AFI were significantly correlated with gestational age (R2= 0.422 and R2= 0.128, respectively). Only a weak correlation was found between gastric volume and AFI (R2= 0.036, p <0.001). On multivariate linear regression analysis adjusting for gestational age and fetal biometric measurements, gastric volume was not an independent and significant predictor of AFI. CONCLUSIONS: Although sonographically determined fetal gastric volume measurements appear to be useful in the assessment of fetal digestive tract anomalies, fetal gastric volume has no clinically significant effect on the amniotic fluid volume in normal pregnancy.

Amniotic Fluid↗
PubMed1981

Intrinsic fluorescence of the amniotic fluid.

The intrinsic fluorescence of clear amniotic fluid from third-trimester pregnancy is reported. The fluorescence intensity peaked at 405 nm when excited by ultraviolet light in the range of 310 to 360 nm. All of the 33 samples tested fluoresced, and their emission spectrum had the same shape, varying only in magnitude. Changing sample temperature (20 to 50 C) and sample pH (7.2 to 7.7) had little effect on the emission spectrum. The same fluorescence, with higher intensity, was observed when some newborn urine was tested. The fluorescence of amniotic fluid may provide a new tool to determine fetal age, fetal organ maturation, and fetal distress.

Amniotic Fluid↗
PubMed1998

[Alterations in the content of collagenous constituents of amniotic fluid in the course of EPH-gestosis].

OBJECTIVES: EPH-gestosis may cause placental insufficiency and affect the metabolism of placenta and fetus. Various metabolites of amniotic fluid may reflect the fetal metabolism. DESIGN: It was decided to compare the content and some biochemical features of hydroxyproline-containing collagenous constituents in the amniotic fluid derived from normal gestations and gestations affected by EPH-gestosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Amniotic fluid was taken during labour (full-term gestations) by amniocentesis from 10 healthy women (control group) and 10 women with EPH-gestosis. UV-absorption spectra, protein and hydroxyproline were measured in non-dialyzed and dialyzed amniotic fluid. Hydroxyproline-containing collagenous constituents of amniotic fluid were chromatographed on Sephadex G-200. RESULTS: Statistical differences in concentrations of total and non-dialyzable hydroxyproline between normal and gestotic amniotic fluid were not found. In contrast to that, gestotic amniotic fluid contains more dialyzable hydroxyproline (6.2 mg/ml) than normal fluid (4.5 mg/ml; p < 0.05). Molecular sieving on Sephadex G-200 shows that this difference is due to higher content of low molecular collagen degradation products. CONCLUSION: Amniotic fluid, derived from pregnancies complicated by EPH-gestosis, contains higher amount of low molecular collagen degradation products than normal amniotic fluid. It is probably the result of more intensive degradation of fetal and placental collagen.

Amniotic Fluid↗
PubMed2002

Possible association between amniotic fluid micro-organism infection and microflora in the mouth.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether oral bacteria are found in the amniotic cavity. DESIGN: Laboratory based analysis of clinical samples. SETTING: Royal London Hospital, Whitechapel. POPULATION: Forty-eight women attending for elective caesarean section. METHODS: Dental plaque, a high vaginal swab, amniotic fluid and chorioamnion tissue were taken from women with intact membranes. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Samples were investigated using culture and microscopy for the presence of microorganisms. Amniotic fluid was analysed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for the presence of the ubiquitous 16S rRNA gene specific to most eubacteria. Samples were analysed using PCR genus and species specific primers directed to bacterial taxa found as part of the normal oral microflora (Streptococcus spp. and Fusobacterium nucleatum). Levels of prostaglandin E2 and cytokines were measured in amniotic fluid. RESULTS: Amniotic fluid was positive for universal bacteria PCR, Streptococcus spp. PCR and F. nucleatum PCR in 34/48, 20/48 and 7/48 of cases, respectively. Streptococcus spp. and F. nucleatum were cultured from the dental plaque, vagina and amniotic fluid of 48/48, 14/48, 0/48 and 29/48, 6/48, 0/48 subjects, respectively. A significant association was found between detection of microbial DNA (universal and F. nucletum) and complications in previous pregnancies including miscarriage, intrauterine death, neonatal death, preterm delivery and premature rupture of membranes (P < 0.05 and P < 0.01, respectively). Prostaglandin E2 and cytokine levels, with the exception of IL-1alpha, were not significantly different between women with and without evidence of infection. CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate that Streptococcus spp. and F. nucleatum in the amniotic fluid may have an oral origin.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

A comparative study of the diagnostic performance of amniotic fluid glucose, white blood cell count, interleukin-6, and gram stain in the detection of microbial invasion in patients with preterm premature rupture of membranes.

OBJECTIVE: Our aim was to compare the value of amniotic fluid tests for the detection of microbial invasion of the amniotic cavity and in the prediction of the amniocentesis-to-delivery interval and neonatal complications in patients with preterm premature rupture of membranes. STUDY DESIGN: Amniotic fluid was obtained by transabdominal amniocentesis from 110 consecutive patients with preterm premature rupture of membranes. Fluid was cultured for aerobic and anaerobic bacteria, as well as mycoplasmas. Amniotic fluid analysis included a Gram stain examination, white blood cell count, and glucose and interleukin-6 determinations. Logistic regression and survival techniques (proportional hazards model) were used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: (1) The prevalence of positive amniotic fluid cultures in patients with preterm premature rupture of membranes was 38% (42/110); (2) patients with microbial invasion had a shorter amniocentesis-to-delivery interval and a higher neonatal complication rate than patients with negative cultures; (3) the most sensitive test for the detection of microbial invasion of the amniotic cavity was amniotic fluid interleukin-6 determinations (cutoff 7.9 ng/ml) (sensitivity: for IL-6 80.9%; for white blood cell count 57.1%; for glucose 57.1%; for Gram stain 23.8%; p < 0.05 for all comparisons); (4) the most specific test for the detection of microbial invasion was the Gram stain of amniotic fluid (specificity: for Gram stain 98.5%; for white blood cell count 77.9%; for interleukin-6 75%; for glucose 73.5%; p < 0.01 for all); (5) of all amniotic fluid tests, interleukin-6 determination was the only test that had significant clinical value in the prediction of the amniocentesis-to-delivery interval and neonatal complications. CONCLUSION: Interleukin-6 concentrations in amniotic fluid are a better predictor of microbial invasion of the amniotic cavity, amniocentesis-to-delivery interval and neonatal complications than the amniotic fluid Gram stain, glucose, or white blood cell count in patients with preterm premature rupture of membranes.

Amniocentesis↗
PubMed1985

Fatty acids of sphingomyelin from amniotic fluid of normal and diabetic pregnancies.

Amniotic fluid collected from 14 normal and 11 diabetic patients was analyzed for phospholipids, and separated sphingomyelin and lecithin fractions were further studied for their acid composition by gas liquid chromatography. Notable differences in percent fatty acid composition of sphingomyelin were observed for palmitic (16:0; diabetic less than normal), oleic (18:1; diabetic greater than normal), behenic (22:0; diabetic less than normal) and arachidic acid (20:0; absent in diabetics) in the specimens studied. Notable differences were not observed in fatty acids from lecithin fraction. Fatty acid composition of sphingomyelin from amniotic fluid is similar to fatty acid distribution in sphingomyelin from serum and erythrocyte and suggests maternal origin of the lipid.

Amniotic Fluid↗
PubMed1997

The use of the polymerase chain reaction to detect bacteria in amniotic fluid in pregnancies complicated by preterm labor.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this investigation was to determine the feasibility of using the polymerase chain reaction to detect bacteria in amniotic fluid and to compare pregnancy outcomes in subsets of women categorized by amniotic fluid culture, polymerase chain reaction, and interleukin-6 findings. STUDY DESIGN: Amniotic fluid from 54 pregnancies with preterm labor and no clinical evidence of intraamniotic infection was evaluated with use of the polymerase chain reaction, interleukin-6, and bacterial culture. Gestational age, newborn weight, and time between amniocentesis and delivery were compared between subsets of women categorized by these tests. RESULTS: With use of the polymerase chain reaction <100 bacteria per milliliter could be detected in amniotic fluid. A total of 55.5% of the amniotic fluid samples were polymerase chain reaction positive, whereas 9.2% of culture results were positive. Birth weights and gestational age at delivery were less and time from amniocentesis to delivery was shorter in the polymerase chain reaction-positive group (p < 0.05). Nine samples (15%) had elevated interleukin-6 concentrations; of these, six were polymerase chain reaction positive. CONCLUSIONS: The polymerase chain reaction is a sensitive means of detecting bacteria in amniotic fluid. These results provide further evidence of an association between preterm delivery and intraamniotic infection. Not all amniotic fluid samples with elevated interleukin-6 levels have bacteria detectable by the polymerase chain reaction. We anticipate that the polymerase chain reaction will provide another avenue for the detection of bacteria in amniotic fluid.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Inhibition of prostaglandin E2 production in myometrial and amniotic cells in culture by human amniotic fluid. Loss of inhibition after intra-uterine fetal death.

OBJECTIVE: To study the effects of amniotic fluid obtained during early second trimester of normal human pregnancies on prostaglandin production in cultured myometrial and amniotic cells. STUDY DESIGN: Cultured human myometrial and amniotic cells were incubated with human amniotic fluid obtained by amniocentesis and fractionated by ultrafiltration. Prostaglandin E2 was measured in the incubation media. In one case, amniotic fluid was obtained during the days following intra-uterine fetal death (IUFD). RESULTS: PGE2 production in myometrial and amniotic cells was significantly decreased when incubated with the fraction of amniotic fluid containing molecules of molecular weight between 3 and 30 kD. This inhibition was still present after heating. After IUFD, the inhibitory activity of amniotic fluid was persistent for the first 3 days but had disappeared 6 days after IUFD. CONCLUSION: These data suggest that a factor contained in amniotic fluid, with a molecular weight within the 3- to 30-kD range, and possibly produced or controlled by the fetus, inhibits PG synthesis. Further work is necessary to characterize this factor and evaluate its physiological role in human parturition.

Amniotic Fluid↗
PubMed1982

Effects of Econazole, Fungizone and Pimafucin on cell growth, lysosomal enzyme activity and sulphate metabolism of cultured human skin fibroblasts and amniotic fluid cells.

Human skin fibroblasts and amniotic fluid cells showed sensitivity to antifungal agents in the order Econazole less than Pimafucin less than Fungizone, with the last initially reducing cell growth 10-20%, even at the level recommended for cell culture. The activities of the lysosomal enzymes alpha-L-fucosidase, beta-D-glucuronidase and alpha-D-mannosidase were unaffected, even by high concentrations of all three antifungal agents. Sulphate incorporation by cultured fibroblasts was increased by removal of sulphate salts and Crystamycin (contains streptomycin sulphate) from the culture medium. Sulphate incorporation into and degradation from macromolecules was only slightly reduced by antifungal agents. Human skin fibroblasts and amniotic fluid cells can be cultured long term in the presence of Econazole or Fungizone and used for lysosomal enzyme assay and sulphate kinetic studies.

Amniotic Fluid↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Antimicrobial activity of amniotic fluid obtained vaginally.

Twenty-nine amniotic fluid samples were aspirated from pregnant women at term (38-40 weeks' gestation) by tapping the bulging membrane vaginally, and their effects on Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans were studied. Inhibition rates were 72.41% for E coli, 68.96% for S aureus and 79.31% for C albicans. Two samples (6.90%) affected only a single organism, 18 (62.07%) affected two organisms and eight (27.59%) affected all three. Only one sample (3.45%) had no inhibitory effect on the microorganisms studied. Thus, 28 of 29 samples (96.55%) inhibited the growth of at least one of the microorganisms tested. These results are also significant because there is a high risk of contamination of amniotic fluid samples obtained through the vaginal route, although they can be obtained easier that way than through amniocentesis.

Amniotic Fluid↗