Comparative biochemical assessment of the amniotic fluid and maternal plasma of pregnant rabbits

Abstract

The following were determined for pregnant New Zealand White x Chinchilla rabbits on day 28 post-service: maternal plasma and the amniotic fluid concentrations of sodium (Na), potassium (K), chloride (Cl), bicarbonate (HCO3), calcium (Ca), inorganic phosphate (PO4), creatine kinase (CK), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (AP), amylase, total proteins, albumin, globulins, albumin-globulin ratio, cholesterol, triglycerides, creatinine, urea, and uric acid. The maternal plasma concentrations of Ca, CK, ALT, amylase, total proteins, albumin, globulins, cholesterol and triglycerides were significantly (P<0.05) higher than those found in the amniotic fluid. The AP level was significantly higher in the amniotic fluid than in the maternal plasma (P<0.05). There was no cholesterol in the amniotic fluid. These findings might be relevant in prenatal detection of disease states in both the dam and the foetus.