Comparison of Four Indexes to Fetal Pulmonary Maturity

1974 ◽  
Vol 20 (4) ◽  
pp. 486-491 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arthur F Rosenthal ◽  
Marta G Vargas ◽  
Selma V Schiff

Abstract With use of the same amniotic fluid specimens, lecithin concentration was compared with nonchromatographically determined glycerophospholipid, total lipid phosphorus, and the bubble-stability test as indexes of fetal lung maturation. The lecithin analysis was performed by thin-layer chromatography, with use of a semiautomated method of spotting and nondigestive release of phosphorus from the separated spots. We conclude that, next to the chromatographic analysis, the best tests are glycerophosphatide P, the bubble-stability test, and total lipid P, in that descending order. Lecithin determination as compared with densitometric evaluation of the lecithin/sphingomyelin ratio is discussed.

Author(s):  
Erin V. McGillick ◽  
Sandra Orgeig ◽  
Beth J. Allison ◽  
Kirsty L. Brain ◽  
Youguo Niu ◽  
...  

Abstract Background In the fetus, the appropriate balance of prooxidants and antioxidants is essential to negate the detrimental effects of oxidative stress on lung maturation. Antioxidants improve respiratory function in postnatal life and adulthood. However, the outcomes and biological mechanisms of antioxidant action in the fetal lung are unknown. Methods We investigated the effect of maternal daily vitamin C treatment (200 mg/kg, intravenously) for a month in late gestation (105–138 days gestation, term ~145 days) on molecular regulation of fetal lung maturation in sheep. Expression of genes and proteins regulating lung development was quantified in fetal lung tissue. The number of surfactant-producing cells was determined by immunohistochemistry. Results Maternal vitamin C treatment increased fetal lung gene expression of the antioxidant enzyme SOD-1, hypoxia signaling genes (HIF-2α, HIF-3α, ADM, and EGLN-3), genes regulating sodium movement (SCNN1-A, SCNN1-B, ATP1-A1, and ATP1-B1), surfactant maturation (SFTP-B and ABCA3), and airway remodeling (ELN). There was no effect of maternal vitamin C treatment on the expression of protein markers evaluated or on the number of surfactant protein-producing cells in fetal lung tissue. Conclusions Maternal vitamin C treatment in the last third of pregnancy in sheep acts at the molecular level to increase the expression of genes that are important for fetal lung maturation in a healthy pregnancy. Impact Maternal daily vitamin C treatment for a month in late gestation in sheep increases the expression of gene-regulating pathways that are essential for normal fetal lung development. Following late gestation vitamin C exposure in a healthy pregnancy, an increase in lung gene but not protein expression may act as a mechanism to aid in the preparation for exposure to the air-breathing environment after birth. In the future, the availability/development of compounds with greater antioxidant properties than vitamin C or more specific targets at the site of oxidative stress in vivo may translate clinically to improve respiratory outcomes in complicated pregnancies at birth.


1981 ◽  
Vol 27 (2) ◽  
pp. 239-242 ◽  
Author(s):  
M Y Tsai ◽  
M Cain ◽  
M W Josephson

Abstract We describe an indirect test of fetal lung maturity: the quantitation of disaturated phosphatidylcholine in amniotic fluid. The lipids in samples of amniotic fluid from 172 patients were reacted with osmium tetroxide, and disaturated phosphatidylcholine was then isolated by thin-layer chromatography. Interfering substances were retained by a pre-adsorbent layer. The charred disaturated phosphatidylcholine, quantitated by densitometry, was compared to standard dipalmitoyl phosphatidylcholine. Both within-run and between-run coefficients of variation were about 10%. Blood and meconium do not interfere. Six infants developed respiratory distress when disaturated phosphatidylcholine concentrations of amniotic fluid drawn within 72 h of delivery were less than 5.5 mg/L. A concurrently determined lecithin/sphingomyelin ratio falsely predicted lung maturity in one of these. In seven other samples for which lecithin/sphingomyelin ratios suggested lung immaturity but disaturated phosphatidyl-choline predicted maturity, none of the infants developed respiratory distress. In normal pregnancies, measurement of disaturated phosphatidylcholine in amniotic fluid appears to be a better predictor of fetal lung maturity than is measurement of the lecithin/sphingomyelin ratio. Further studies are needed to determine if this analysis is a better predictor in diabetic pregnancies.


2005 ◽  
Vol 317 (1) ◽  
pp. 117-126 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mahesh N. Samtani ◽  
Nancy A. Pyszczynski ◽  
Debra C. DuBois ◽  
Richard R. Almon ◽  
William J. Jusko

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document