title: Increase in fetal hydration during long-term intraamniotic isotonic saline infusion.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to determine whether a long-term infusion of saline into the amniotic space alters amniotic fluid volume or fetal fluid balance. Isotonic saline solution was infused continuously at a rate of 1 L/day for 3 days into the amniotic cavity of eight fetal sheep, resulting in an increase in amniotic fluid volume that averaged 50% of the infused volume. This amniotic volume expansion persisted during a 36-hour recovery period. During the infusion, fetal urine flow increased by 600 ml/day and was accompanied by a significant rise in renal electrolyte excretion. Fetal swallowing of amniotic fluid rose in parallel by 600 ml/day and fetal blood volume significantly increased by 5%. Maternal parameters were not changed during the experimental or recovery periods. Thus the present data suggest that direct intraamniotic infusion on a long-term basis in pregnant sheep appears to be an effective method for increasing fetal hydration and amniotic fluid volume.
authors.affiliation: Department of Reproductive Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla 92023.
authors.forename: W M
authors.initials: WM
authors.lastname: Gilbert
authors.forename: R A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Brace
mesh_terms: D000650:Amnion; D000653:Amniotic Fluid / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D001834:Body Water / Q000378:metabolism*; D004231:Diuresis; D005260:Female; D005312:Fetal Blood / Q000032:analysis; D005333:Fetus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007267:Injections; D007552:Isotonic Solutions; D011247:Pregnancy; D012756:Sheep; D012965:Sodium Chloride / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D007552:Isotonic Solutions; D012965:Sodium Chloride