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Candida antibodies in amniotic fluid.

Amniotic fluid samples were tested for specific immunoglobulins against Candida albicans by indirect immunofluorescence. Nineteen of the 23 samples tested contained specific IgA while specific IgG antibodies were detected in only seven samples (P less than 0.01). None of the samples contained specific anticandidal IgM (P less than 0.001). These 23 samples and a further 30 amniotic fluid samples were tested for Candida mannan antigen by latex agglutination. Mannan was not detected in any of the samples tested. It is concluded that anticandidal IgA in amniotic fluid is naturally occurring.

Amniotic Fluid↗

Garlic ingestion by pregnant women alters the odor of amniotic fluid.

Amniotic fluid samples were obtained from 10 pregnant women undergoing routine amniocentesis procedure. Approximately 45 min prior to the procedure, five of the women ingested placebo capsules, whereas the remaining five ingested capsules containing the essential oil of garlic. Randomly selected pairs of samples, one from a woman who ingested garlic and the other from a woman who ingested placebo capsules, were then evaluated by a sensory panel of adults. The odor of the amniotic fluid obtained from four of the five women who had ingested the garlic capsules was judged to be stronger or more like garlic than the paired samples collected from the women consuming placebo capsules. Thus, garlic ingestion by pregnant women significantly alters the odor of their amniotic fluid.

Adult↗

Utero-inhibin: a new substance inhibiting uterine contraction, isolated from amniotic fluid.

Amniotic fluid was collected from women in the 2nd trimester of their gravidity by amniocentesis and its effect on the isolated pregnant rat uterine preparation investigated. It was demonstrated that some of the amniotic fluid components partially purified by using the combination of various separation techniques stimulated, while others inhibited the contractions of the isolated rat uterine preparation. The inhibitory component, called utero-inhibin also inhibited the spontaneous contractions as well as the basal tone of the isolated rat intestinal preparation and those of the isolated human pregnant myometrium preparation. It is speculated that the inhibitory factor might play a physiological role in maintaining the resting state of human uterus during pregnancy.

Amniotic Fluid↗

Relationship between cortisol and lecithin/sphingomyelin ratios in human amniotic fluid.

Amniotic fluid was obtained from 85 women during the last trimester of gastation and analyzed for cortisol by a radioimmunoassay procedure and for lecithin/sphingomyelin (L/S) ratios by a combined thin-layer chromatography densitometer scanning technique. A total of 114 samples were examined. Cortisol values ranged from 38 to 438 ng. per milliliter; L/S ratios ranged from 0.3 to 9.2. Comparison of cortisol levels with L/S ratios by multiple regression analysis gave an "r" value of 0.371. From less than 32 weeks' gestation to 41 or 42 weeks there was an increase in cortisol levels from 139 plus or minus 124 to 290 plus or minus 78 ng. per milliliter whereas the L/S ratios increased from 1.8 plus or minus 2.3 to 3.9 plus or minus 2.0. These data indicate that there is no good correlation between cortisol and L/S ratios in the samples of amniotic fluid analyzed.

Amniotic Fluid↗

Alpha 1-antitrypsin in amniotic fluid.

Amniotic fluid a1-antitrypsin values were determined by radial immunodiffusion of 317 samples obtained between the 10th and 43rd weeks of gestation in normal pregnant patients and those with complications. Serial determinations of a1-antitrypsin values revealed that in normal patients values decreased as pregnancy advanced while values increased as pregnancy advanced in cases in which there was severe Rh-alloimmunization and hydramnios. A wide range of values was observed for each week of gestation. Although there was a definite tendency for values to decrease as pregnancy advanced (60.8 mg/100 ml before 30 weeks and 17.9/100 ml after 40 weeks); the method must be regarded as unreliable for determining fetal maturity in clinical practice. In the case of newborn infants with hyaline membrane disease, no decrease in amniotic fluid a1-antitrypsin values has been found.

Amniotic Fluid↗

Insulin-like growth factor binding proteins and mitogenic activity of partially fractionated sheep amniotic fluid.

Amniotic fluid collected from ewes on various days of gestation was examined for the presence of insulin-like growth factor (IGF) binding proteins. IGF-binding proteins with a molecular mass of 40-45 kDa appeared at day 41 of gestation. The level of these major IGF-binding proteins increased during pregnancy and reached a maximum at day 106. Smaller IGF-binding molecules with an approximate molecular mass of 35 kDa and 25 kDa appeared at day 90, also reaching a concentration peak at day 106. The mitogenic activity of sheep amniotic fluid after chromatography on Sephadex G-50 was separated into two peaks. The peak having lower molecular mass corresponded to an elution profile of 125I-IGF-I. The first peak, having higher molecular mass, was eluted immediately after the void volume of column. Electrophoresis and ligand blotting showed that proteins in the first peak had similar properties as IGF-binding proteins.

3T3 Cells↗

Maternal hydration for increasing amniotic fluid volume in oligohydramnios and normal amniotic fluid volume.

BACKGROUND: Oligohydramnios (reduced amniotic fluid) may be responsible for malpresentation problems, umbilical cord compression, concentration of meconium in the liquor, and difficult or failed external cephalic version. Simple maternal hydration has been suggested as a way of increasing amniotic fluid volume in order to reduce some of these problems. OBJECTIVES: The objective of this review was to assess the effects of maternal hydration on amniotic fluid volume and measures of pregnancy outcome. SEARCH STRATEGY: The Cochrane Pregnancy and Childbirth Group trials register and the Cochrane Controlled Trials Register were searched. Date of last search: 1 February 1999. SELECTION CRITERIA: Randomised trials comparing maternal hydration with no hydration in pregnant women with reduced or normal amniotic fluid volume. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Eligibility and trial quality were assessed by both reviewers. MAIN RESULTS: Two studies of 77 women were included. The women were asked to drink two litres of water before having a repeat ultrasound examination. Maternal hydration in women with and without oligohydramnios was associated with an increase in amniotic volume (weighted mean difference for women with oligohydramnios 2.01, 95% confidence interval 1.43 to 2.56; and weighted mean difference for women with normal amniotic fluid volume 4.5, 95% confidence interval 2.92 to 6.08). Intravenous hypotonic hydration in women with oligohydramnios was associated with an increase in amniotic fluid volume (weighted mean difference 2.3, 95% confidence interval 1.36 to 3.24). Isotonic intravenous hydration had no measurable effect. No clinically important outcomes were assessed in any of the trials. REVIEWER'S CONCLUSIONS: Simple maternal hydration appears to increase amniotic fluid volume and may be beneficial in the management of oligohydramnios and prevention of oligohydramnios during labour or prior to external cephalic version. Controlled trials are needed to assess the clinical benefits and possible risks of maternal hydration for specific clinical purposes.

Amniotic Fluid↗

Mycoplasma hominis and Ureaplasma urealyticum in midtrimester amniotic fluid: association with amniotic fluid cytokine levels and pregnancy outcome.

OBJECTIVE: The association between the detection of Mycoplasma hominis or Ureaplasma urealyticum in midtrimester amniotic fluid and amniotic fluid cytokine concentrations and subsequent pregnancy outcome were examined. STUDY DESIGN: Amniocentesis was performed between 15 and 19 weeks of gestation in 179 asymptomatic women. Aliquots were assayed for M hominis and U urealyticum by polymerase chain reaction coupled to enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Intra-amniotic levels of interleukin-1beta, interleukin-1 receptor antagonist, interleukin-4, interleukin-6, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Pregnancy outcomes were obtained after the completion of all testing. RESULTS: U urealyticum was detected in 22 of 172 amniotic fluids (12.8%); M hominis was present in 11 of 179 amniotic fluids (6.1%). There was no relationship between U urealyticum detection and the concentration of any cytokine. Detection of M hominis was associated with elevated intra-amniotic concentrations of interleukin-4 ( P = .01). Preterm premature rupture of membranes that was followed by preterm birth occurred in 5 women (2.8%); 5 women (2.8%) had a spontaneous preterm birth with intact membranes. All 5 of the women with preterm premature rupture of membranes (100%) tested positive for either U urealyticum or M hominis , as opposed to none of the women with spontaneous preterm birth and to 27 of 161 women (16.8%) with a term birth ( P = .0002). CONCLUSION: The detection of M hominis or U urealyticum in midtrimester amniotic fluid by polymerase chain reaction-enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay may be a risk factor for subsequent preterm premature rupture of membranes.

Adolescent↗

Mathematical models to correlate amniotic fluid index and amniotic fluid volume.

PURPOSE: To describe a predictable relationship that relates amniotic fluid index (AFI) to amniotic fluid volume (AFV) and improve the accuracy of AFI to detect true oligohydramnios. METHODS: Data from 42 parturients (group I) who underwent measurements of amniotic fluid sonographically (amniotic fluid index) as well as by dye-dilution technique was used to relate AFI to AFV. Subsequently, 22 consecutive women (group II) were used to test the accuracy of the equation to predict true oligohydramnios. RESULTS: In group II, 11 of 22 patients had true oligohydramnios and the sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values of AFI < or = 5.0 to detect a confirmed AFV < 500 mL were 0%, 91%, 0%, and 48%, respectively. These values of AFI, when used in conjunction with the equation, improved to 73%, 55%, 62%, 67%, respectively. With AFI and the equation, significantly more patients in group II with true oligohydramnios (8 of 11) could be detected than with using AFI alone (0 of 11; p = 0.002). CONCLUSION: AFI is poor predictor of true oligohydramnios. Using the mathematical model, the detection rate of oligohydramnios is significantly improved.

Amniotic Fluid↗

Superiority of amniotic fluid index over amniotic fluid pocket measurement for predicting bad fetal outcome.

Semiquantitative amniotic fluid volume (AFV) determination is a component of the fetal biophysical profile (BPP). To assess decreased AVF we did BPPs of 174 fetuses within 1 week of delivery. Two methods were used: measurement of the single largest vertical pocket (oligohydramnios = depth < 1 cm) and the four-quadrant amniotic fluid index (AFI) (oligohydramnios = AFI < or = 5 cm). AFV, as determined by each method, was related to measures of fetal outcome (perinatal mortality, fetal distress, Apgar score, meconium-stained amniotic fluid, and intrauterine growth retardation [IUGR]). The AFI was more sensitive in predicting mortality (87.5%) and the following measures of perinatal morbidity: low 5-minute Apgar score (88.8%), fetal distress during labor (86.6%), meconium-stained amniotic fluid (63.6%), and the presence of IUGR (79.4%). The sensitivity of amniotic fluid pocket measurement of < 1 cm was 75%, 72.2%, 66.6%, 47.7%, and 55.8%, respectively, for the same measures. Using the AFI instead of a single pocket measurement in BPP assessment increased the sensitivity and positive predictive value of the BPP from 64.7% to 76.4% and from 45.8% to 68.4%, respectively. Our data suggest that qualitative AFV measurement using the AFI is superior to that of the single largest pocket in multiple component fetal biophysical testing.

Amniotic Fluid↗

The predictability of intrauterine infection by analysis of amniotic fluid.

Amniotic fluid samples from 95 internally monitored patients were examined to determine whether the appearance of polymorphonuclear leukocytes or bacteria could predict intrauterine infection. All patients delivered vaginally. More than one polymorphonuclear leukocyte per oil field were seen in specimens of 32% of patients; bacteria were seen in specimens of 52% of patients, and organisms were grown in 93% of specimens, yet, the overall maternal infection rate was only 6.3%. Moreover, infection developed in only 10% of patients with polymorphonuclear leukocytes in the fluid and 6% of patients with positive gram stain or cultures. For patients who deliver vaginally, the appearance of polymorphonuclear leukocytes or bacteria does not predict infection.

Amniocentesis↗

Clinical assessment of amniotic fluid.

Amniotic fluid volume estimation has become an integral part of fetal evaluation. Although the sonographic techniques clinically available are limited in their accuracy and predictive value, the careful performance of AFI measurements provide important and complementary clinical data on which to base management decisions in pregnancies at risk.

Amniocentesis↗

Prenatal diagnosis of cystic fibrosis by methylumbelliferylguanidinobenzoate protease titration in amniotic fluid.

Amniotic fluids were obtained from 19 mothers who had previously given birth to a child with cystic fibrosis. Measurement of methylumbelliferylguanidinobenzoate (MUGB) reactive proteases suggested that all 19 would have unaffected babies. Amongst the first 10 cases to come to term there were 5 infants with cystic fibrosis. It is concluded that MUGB protease titration is not suitable for the early prenatal diagnosis of cystic fibrosis.

Amniotic Fluid↗

Genetic counselling and prenatal diagnosis of cystic fibrosis in Debrecen (Hungary)--prenatal diagnosis by microvillar enzyme assay from amniotic fluid.

Amniotic fluid intestinal alkaline phosphatase, gammaglutamyltransferase and trehalase activity were quantitated to assess their reliability for the prenatal diagnosis of cystic fibrosis. To obtain optimal diagnostic discrimination, the three enzyme values obtained for each sample were combined into a single linear discriminant function that proved to be a more accurate indicator of the outcome of the pregnancy. From the cases studied here, it appears that this method can be expected to give a correct prediction in 92.0% of all high risk pregnancies.

Amniotic Fluid↗

Mitogenic activity of high molecular weight forms of insulin-like growth factor-II in amniotic fluid.

Amniotic fluid (AF) collected from ewes and goats at mid gestation displayed mitogenic activity in mouse fibroblasts. Upon fractionation of this material by size exclusion chromatography, the mitogenic activity was resolved into two peaks, whose activity was inhibited by an anti-IGF type 1 receptor blocking antibody. One of the peaks contained IGF-I and IGF-II (mature form), whereas the other contained high M(r) precursor forms of IGF-II. The presence in this latter fraction of IGF-binding proteins (IGFBP) suggests that the AF IGFBPs do not efficiently inhibit the mitogenic activity of the high M(r) forms of IGF-II. In agreement with this conclusion, exogenous IGFBP-1 failed to affect this activity. Analysis of IGF-II in sheep AF showed that the AF concentrations of both forms of IGF-II increased dramatically from mid pregnancy until 106-120 days of gestation, and fell thereafter. The amniotic IGFBPs followed a similar evolution. High M(r) forms of IGF-II were also found in human AF, with a pattern of electrophoretic migration different from that of sheep. We suggest that the precursor forms of IGF-II may play an important role in foetal development.

Amniotic Fluid↗

Determination of fetal sex in cattle by cytologic examiantion of amniotic fluid.

Amniotic fluid smears (n = 134) of bovine fetuses (69 males, 65 females) at various stages of gestation were stained by the Papanicolaou method. Percentage counts of eosinophilic, orangeophilic, and cyanophilic cells were determined by examining 500 cells per sample. The cyanophilic cell count was significantly (P less than 0.001) higher for the females (37% +/- 3% to 47% +/- 3%) than for the males (19% +/- 2% to 32% +/- 3%). Significant differences, however, were not recorded with the eosinophilic and the orangeophilic cell counts. The percentage cyanophilic count could therefore be used as a method of prenatal sex determination.

Amniotic Fluid↗

Identification and characterization of cyclo(His-Pro)-like immunoreactivity in amniotic fluid.

Amniotic fluid (AF) from 25 term pregnancies was analyzed for cyclo(His-Pro)-like immunoreactivity (CHP-LI). CHP-LI was detected in all AF samples and was indistinguishable from synthetic CHP by immunoidentity, by gel chromatography on Sephadex G-25, and by high pressure liquid chromatography. The mean concentration of CHP-LI in AF was 13,622 +/- 1288 pg/ml (+/- SE) and concentrations were not altered by maternal labor. Plasma concentrations of CHP-LI were similar in 4 pregnant and 4 control subjects [2260 +/- 432 pg/ml vs. 2162 +/- 419 pg/ml (+/- SE), respectively]. We conclude that 1) CHP-LI is readily detected in AF from term pregnancies and is indistinguishable from synthetic CHP, and 2) concentrations of CHP-LI in human AF are significantly higher than concentrations of maternal plasma CHP-LI, suggesting CHP AF originates by mechanisms other than diffusion from maternal plasma.

Amniotic Fluid↗