Changes in fetal and maternal plasma protein concentration and colloid osmotic pressure with gestation.
In pregnant ewes, plasma protein levels over the gestation age range of 58-141 days fell progressively (r = -0.332, P less than 0.05, n = 36) but colloid osmotic pressure (COP, mmHg) did not change significantly. In fetal sheep carried by these ewes, plasma protein levels increased with age (r = 0.85, P less than 0.00001, n = 32). COP also rose (r = 0.8, P less than 0.00001, n = 23). Since maternal COP did not change and fetal COP increased, the net transplacental COP gradient between mother and fetus decreased with increasing age (r = -0.589, P less than 0.004, n = 22). Fetal plasma protein levels can be used to calculate fetal COP while maternal plasma protein levels cannot be used to calculate maternal COP.
Lumbers
E R
ER
School of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of NSW, Kensington, Australia.
Moore
R S
RS
Stevens
A D
AD
Gibson
K J
KJ
D000818:Animals; D001798:Blood Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D003102:Colloids; D005260:Female; D005312:Fetal Blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D005865:Gestational Age; D008431:Maternal-Fetal Exchange / Q000502:physiology*; D009997:Osmotic Pressure; D011247:Pregnancy; D011270:Pregnancy, Animal / Q000097:blood*; D012756:Sheep
D001798:Blood Proteins; D003102:Colloids