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High resolution proton NMR spectroscopy of human amniotic fluid
Author(s) -
Nelson T. R.,
Gillies R. J.,
Powell D. A.,
Schrader M. C.,
Manchesters D. K.,
Pretorius D. H.
Publication year - 1987
Publication title -
prenatal diagnosis
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.956
H-Index - 97
eISSN - 1097-0223
pISSN - 0197-3851
DOI - 10.1002/pd.1970070511
Subject(s) - amniotic fluid , nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy , resolution (logic) , spectroscopy , nuclear magnetic resonance , high resolution , chemistry , medicine , fetus , pregnancy , biology , physics , genetics , geology , computer science , remote sensing , artificial intelligence , quantum mechanics
Human amniotic fluid (HAF) is a dynamic system whose characteristics depend on continuous interchanges between fetal and maternal circulations. HAF reflects not only the environment of the fetus but may also provide information about fetal development or pathology. The concentration of HAF constituents varies with gestational age and pathological states. The number of the compounds currently implicated in fetal developmental pathology are relatively few. Currently used assay methods are not adequate to totally explain or predict the complex biochemistry of the fetus. The purpose of this work was to investigate HAF with NMR spectroscopy. In the present study HAF was obtained from 47 women undergoing routine amniocentesis. Cells were separated for karyological analysis and the supernatant was acid‐extracted, lyophilized and re‐suspended in D 2 0 resulting in a concentration increase over native fluid. 1 H NMR spectra were obtained at 360 MHz and 60 MHz. Eighteen compounds including several amino acids, were identified using parallel reference and standard addition protocols. NMR spectroscopy detected compounds of known clinical importance including glucose, leucine, isoleucine, lactate and creatinine. In conclusion, we have demonstrated that a number of physiologically relevant compounds are readily observable in HAF using 1 H NMR spectroscopy. This technique can currently provide valuable information regarding HAF composition and has the potential of being used in vivo in the future.