Daily changes in foetal urine and relationships with amniotic and allantoic fluid and maternal plasma during the last two months of pregnancy in conscious, unstressed ewes with chronically implanted catheters. 1972

D J Mellor, and J S Slater

1. The fluid sacs and bladders of ten foetuses and the allantoic sacs of five foetuses were catheterized between 79 and 96 days gestational age and daily samples were withdrawn until lambs were born naturally at approximately 147 days. Maternal jugular plasma obtained daily allowed the nutritional status of each ewe to be regulated and monitored. All lambs were observed for 7 weeks, and at post-mortem no abnormalities were seen in those operated upon in utero.2. The osmolality, [Na(+)], [K(+)], [Cl(-)], [glucose], [fructose], [urea], [amino acid] and pH of all samples were measured.3. Foetal surgery seemed to affect the actual concentrations of some solutes, but gestational trends in foetal fluid composition were unaltered.4. Until about 7 days before birth the foetal urine osmolality, [Na(+)], [Cl(-)] and [fructose] decreased, its [urea], [amino acid] and pH remained relatively constant, and from about 120 days gestational age the [K(+)] increased. During the last 7 days there was a marked increase in the osmolality and the concentrations of all these solutes, and a decrease in pH.5. Entry of foetal urine into the fluid sacs tended to decrease the osmolality, [Na(+)], [K(+)], [Cl(-)] and [glucose] of both foetal fluids and the [amino acid] of allantoic fluid, and tended to increase the [fructose] and [urea] of both fluids and the [amino acid] of amniotic fluid.6. Changes in urine composition suggested large daily variations in the secretion of foetal antidiuretic hormone and also a rapid increase in its secretion during the last 7 days, and particularly the last 2-4 days before birth.7. Changes in the [Na(+)]/[K(+)] ratios of foetal urine and allantoic fluid were parallel during post-operative recovery, during the course of pregnancy and immediately before birth, and this was consistent with a simultaneous action of foetal plasma corticosteroids on the foetal kidneys and chorioallantois.8. Variations in the [fructose] of foetal urine and allantoic fluid were parallel to changes in their [Na(+)]/[K(+)] ratios and suggested an involvement of foetal corticosteroids in the regulation of the [fructose] of foetal plasma.9. Further evidence has been presented supporting the hypothesis that maternal induced foetal hypoglycaemia effects a relative increase in the secretion of foetal corticosteroids having an action on the chorioallantois. Also, high concentrations of maternal plasma corticosteroids may decrease the permeability of the placenta to glucose.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008431 Maternal-Fetal Exchange Exchange of substances between the maternal blood and the fetal blood at the PLACENTA via PLACENTAL CIRCULATION. The placental barrier excludes microbial or viral transmission. Transplacental Exposure,Exchange, Maternal-Fetal,Exposure, Transplacental,Maternal Fetal Exchange
D009994 Osmolar Concentration The concentration of osmotically active particles in solution expressed in terms of osmoles of solute per liter of solution. Osmolality is expressed in terms of osmoles of solute per kilogram of solvent. Ionic Strength,Osmolality,Osmolarity,Concentration, Osmolar,Concentrations, Osmolar,Ionic Strengths,Osmolalities,Osmolar Concentrations,Osmolarities,Strength, Ionic,Strengths, Ionic
D011188 Potassium An element in the alkali group of metals with an atomic symbol K, atomic number 19, and atomic weight 39.10. It is the chief cation in the intracellular fluid of muscle and other cells. Potassium ion is a strong electrolyte that plays a significant role in the regulation of fluid volume and maintenance of the WATER-ELECTROLYTE BALANCE.
D011247 Pregnancy The status during which female mammals carry their developing young (EMBRYOS or FETUSES) in utero before birth, beginning from FERTILIZATION to BIRTH. Gestation,Pregnancies
D001786 Blood Glucose Glucose in blood. Blood Sugar,Glucose, Blood,Sugar, Blood
D001826 Body Fluids Liquid components of living organisms. Body Fluid,Fluid, Body,Fluids, Body
D002712 Chlorides Inorganic compounds derived from hydrochloric acid that contain the Cl- ion. Chloride,Chloride Ion Level,Ion Level, Chloride,Level, Chloride Ion
D005260 Female Females
D005321 Extraembryonic Membranes The thin layers of tissue that surround the developing embryo. There are four extra-embryonic membranes commonly found in VERTEBRATES, such as REPTILES; BIRDS; and MAMMALS. They are the YOLK SAC, the ALLANTOIS, the AMNION, and the CHORION. These membranes provide protection and means to transport nutrients and wastes. Fetal Membranes,Extra-Embryonic Membranes,Extra Embryonic Membranes,Extra-Embryonic Membrane,Extraembryonic Membrane,Fetal Membrane,Membrane, Extra-Embryonic,Membrane, Extraembryonic,Membrane, Fetal,Membranes, Extra-Embryonic,Membranes, Extraembryonic,Membranes, Fetal
D005333 Fetus The unborn young of a viviparous mammal, in the postembryonic period, after the major structures have been outlined. In humans, the unborn young from the end of the eighth week after CONCEPTION until BIRTH, as distinguished from the earlier EMBRYO, MAMMALIAN. Fetal Structures,Fetal Tissue,Fetuses,Mummified Fetus,Retained Fetus,Fetal Structure,Fetal Tissues,Fetus, Mummified,Fetus, Retained,Structure, Fetal,Structures, Fetal,Tissue, Fetal,Tissues, Fetal

Related Publications

D J Mellor, and J S Slater
May 1975, Research in veterinary science,
D J Mellor, and J S Slater
December 2019, Reproduction in domestic animals = Zuchthygiene,
D J Mellor, and J S Slater
November 1978, American journal of obstetrics and gynecology,
D J Mellor, and J S Slater
February 2009, American journal of obstetrics and gynecology,
Copied contents to your clipboard!