Total Proteins in Human Amniotic Fluid

Summary: The study of the biochemical constituents of amniotic fluid is essential in the diagnosis of fetal disorders which result in high concentrations of metabolites in the fetal serum, that can be detected by amniotic fluid examination. The present study is based on the estimations of total protein concentration in the amniotic fluid of normal pregnancies at different gestational weeks. The total protein concentrations, determined by the method of Lowry et al (1951), revealed a characteristic trend during different gestations, with a progressive rise from the 12th week till the 24th week, and then a gradual decline from the 30th week till the 40th week of gestation. Thus, in the third trimester, the total protein decreased with advancement of pregnancy, indicating an inverse relationship with gestational age.