title: Erythrocyte packing rates and altered lysolecithin levels during pregnancy.
abstract: The rate of packing of erythrocytes during centrifugation has been measured as an index of erythrocyte flexibility. Exposure of erythrocytes to sub-haemolytic concentrations of lysolecithin decreased their packing rate indicating that the cells had become less flexible. Erythrocyte packing rates and plasma lysolecithin levels have been measured in a series of forty pregnant and non-pregnant women. The plasma concentrations of lysolecithin were significantly lower in pregnant women when compared with non-pregnant women. In contrast to this, the plasma concentrations of total phospholipid and lecithin were elevated during pregnancy. Erythrocyte packing rates were increased during pregnancy and a statistically very significant negative correlation was found between erythrocyte packing rate and plasma lysolecithin concentration.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002449:Cell Aggregation; D004903:Erythrocyte Aggregation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008244:Lysophosphatidylcholines / Q000097:blood*; D011247:Pregnancy; D013997:Time Factors; D014461:Ultracentrifugation
chemical_list: D008244:Lysophosphatidylcholines