Transversal and longitudinal lecithin-sphingomyelin ratios in amniotic and lung fluids of fetal lambs.
Lecithin-sphingomyelin (L/S) ratios were measured in both amniotic and in lung fluids of fetal lambs. Around Day 130 of fetal age sudden increase of L/S ratio appeared in lung fluid. The amniotic L/S ratio increased only slowly as a consequence of which false negative values were obtained. A respiratory distress syndrome is to be expected when the lung fluid shows a L/S ratio less than 2. The L/S ratio of lung fluid is preferable to amniotic L/S ratio. In comparison with those of amniotic fluid the L/S ratios of lung fluid were significantly higher. Lung fluid secretion was measured daily. Large differences were seen among the lambs. Two days before delivery a striking decrease in the quantity of lung fluid production was noticed in all aminals.
D000653:Amniotic Fluid / Q000032:analysis*; D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D005333:Fetus / Q000502:physiology*; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008168:Lung / Q000196:embryology / Q000378:metabolism*; D010713:Phosphatidylcholines / Q000032:analysis*; D011247:Pregnancy; D012127:Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Newborn / Q000175:diagnosis; D012756:Sheep; D013109:Sphingomyelins / Q000032:analysis*
D010713:Phosphatidylcholines; D013109:Sphingomyelins