Remarkable lubricating capabilities of amniotic surfactant.
Surface-active phospholipid (SAPL) extracted from amniotic fluid or elutriated from the chorioamnionic sacs of placentas recovered from normal full term deliveries has been shown to be a remarkable lubricant. Coefficients of kinetic and static friction were reduced to 0.009 by SAPL from amniotic fluid and 0.011 for a membrane extract, even under high load (3 kg/cm2), compared with 0.04 for the best nonbiological boundary lubricants. The antiwear properties were equally remarkable, giving a mean scar diameter under extreme pressure of only 0.76 mm for amniotic SAPL and 1.00 mm for membrane extract compared with 0.85-0.95 mm for aqueous lubricants commercially available. These results support the hypothesis that premature rupture (PROM) is less likely to occur if movement between the fetus and the amnion or between the decidual surface of the uterus and the chorion is well lubricated.
Hills
B A
BA
Paediatric Respiratory Research Centre, Mater Children's Hospital, South Brisbane, Queensland.
D000653:Amniotic Fluid / Q000737:chemistry*; D005260:Female; D005322:Premature Rupture of Fetal Membranes / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D017276:Friction; D006801:Humans; D008153:Lubrication; D010743:Phospholipids / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D011247:Pregnancy; D013501:Surface-Active Agents / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000302:isolation & purification
D010743:Phospholipids; D013501:Surface-Active Agents