The coelomic cavity--a reservoir for metals.
OBJECTIVE
The concentrations of metals in fluids surrounding the first-trimester fetus were measured.


METHODS
Atomic absorption spectrometry was used to measure concentrations of metals in matched samples of amniotic and extraembryonic coelomic fluids in 17 women between 9 and 12 weeks of pregnancy.


RESULTS
Concentrations of calcium, magnesium, iron, copper, and manganese (but not zinc, cadmium, or lead) were significantly higher in coelomic than in amniotic fluid. There was no significant difference between levels of iron, manganese, and lead in controls and amniotic fluid or between concentrations of manganese, cadmium, and lead in controls and coelomic fluid. There was no relationship between the concentrations of each metal in amniotic and coelomic fluid.


CONCLUSIONS
The extraembryonic coelom is an important site of concentration of metals in early pregnancy. This might represent a store of metals essential for normal embryonic and fetal development or constitute a defense mechanism against environmental conditions adverse to the fetus.
Wathen
N C
NC
Department of Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Reproductive Physiology, St. Bartholomew's Hospital, London, United Kingdom.
Delves
H T
HT
Campbell
D J
DJ
Chard
T
T
D000653:Amniotic Fluid / Q000737:chemistry*; D001825:Body Fluid Compartments; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D011261:Pregnancy Trimester, First; D014131:Trace Elements / Q000032:analysis*
D014131:Trace Elements