Biochemical Profile of Ovine Amniotic and Allantoic Fluids

Foetal fluids are important in preventing mechanical shock to the developing foetus during entire gestation. Amniotic and allantoic fluids are actively involved in constant exchange of biochemical substance between foetus and maternal circulation. Hence the knowledge regarding changes in the composition of the foetal fluid is important for understanding foetal metabolism and diagnosis of pathological conditions during gestation. A study was conducted in sixty gravid sheep uteri. The four stages of gestation as Stage I (30-60 days), Stage II (61-90 days), Stage III (91-120 days) and Stage IV (121 to term) were identified based on crown anus length of the embryo/foetus. The amniotic and allantoic fluids collected from the gravid uteri of each group were subjected to biochemical analysis of glucose, protein, urea and creatinine. The levels of glucose, total protein, urea and creatinine were increased in the amniotic fluid with gestation. The concentration of glucose and total protein were increased with pregnancy in the allantoic fluid, while those of urea and creatinine were decreased. Allantoic fluid had significantly higher concentration of total protein and creatinine in all the four stages of gestation than amniotic fluid.