Tissue hypoxia is the major stimulus of erythropoietin (EPO) synthesis in fetuses and adults. Since EPO does not cross the placenta and is not stored, fetal plasma and amniotic fluid levels indicate EPO synthesis and elimination. Acutely, the rate and magnitude of the increase in plasma EPO levels correlate with the intensity of hypoxia. Amniotic fluid EPO levels correlate with cord plasma leve...

We investigated the possibility of interference by endogenous glycerol with the enzymatic measurement of phosphatidylglycerol in amniotic fluid. Phosphatidylglycerol is an important indicator of fetal lung maturity. The concentrations of glycerol and phosphatidylglycerol in amniotic fluid were measured by using a coupled enzymatic assay with and without phospholipase D (EC 3.1.4.4). The precisi...

The aims of this study were to determine whether sonographically measured cervical length is of value in the identification of microbial invasion of the amniotic cavity in women with preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM) and to compare its performance with maternal blood C-reactive protein (CRP), white blood cell count (WBC), and amniotic fluid (AF) WBC. This prospective observational ...

In addition to the placenta, umbilical cord and amniotic fluid, the amniotic membrane is emerging as an immensely valuable and easily accessible source of stem and progenitor cells. This concise review will focus on the stem/progenitor cell properties of human amniotic epithelial and mesenchymal stromal cells and evaluate the effects exerted by these cells and the amniotic membrane on tissue in...

1. Rh substances are found in amniotic fluid. Not all anti-Rh sera seem to be suitable for the detection of Rh substances in amniotic fluid. Careful selection of Rh antisera, as well as quantitative considerations, determine success or failure of their demonstration. 2. The baby's Rh type and not the mother's determines the occurrence of Rh substances in amniotic fluid. 3. There are Rh secretor...

This study explored the association between the acute psychobiological stress response, chronic social overload and amniotic fluid corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) and urocortin (UCN) in 34 healthy, second-trimester pregnant women undergoing amniocentesis. The study further examined the predictive value of second-trimester amniotic fluid CRH and UCN for fetal growth and neonatal birth outc...