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Fetal Absorption of 3 H‐Leucine Injected into the Amniotic Sacs of Pregnant Rats
Author(s) -
Lev Robert,
Loud Alden V.,
Laitio Matti,
Orlic Donald
Publication year - 1979
Publication title -
international journal of gynecology and obstetrics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.895
H-Index - 97
eISSN - 1879-3479
pISSN - 0020-7292
DOI - 10.1002/j.1879-3479.1979.tb00143.x
Subject(s) - fetus , medicine , amniotic fluid , amniotic sac , leucine , pregnancy , andrology , litter , fetal circulation , endocrinology , placenta , biochemistry , amino acid , biology , genetics , agronomy
When injected into the amniotic sacs of fetal rats in late pregnancy, 3 H‐leucine is rapidly absorbed and incorporated into fetal proteins as determined by liquid scintillation spectrometry. Peak values in the fetal liver and pancreas occur around four hours after injection. Approximately 21% of the radioisotope is retained in the injected fetus at 24 hours. The remainder escapes into the maternal circulation and accounts for a gradual increase in levels in noninjected fetuses from the same litter and for persistently high counts found in maternal serum as late as 24 hours after the injection. Specific activity of the radioisotope in fetal tissues is considerably higher (100‐ to 200‐fold) when 3 H‐leucine is injected into the amniotic sac rather than intravenously into the mother. The possible treatment of various fetal disorders by means of intra‐amniotic injections is discussed.