[Concentration of the cellular fibronectin in amniotic fluid and plasma in the peripartum period]

Numerous publications recommending the determination of fibronectin (FN) and fetal fibronectin (fFN) during pregnancy and delivery have appeared. The aim of this study was to analyse the level of cellular fibronectin concentration in amniotic fluid and blood plasma of patients between 38 to 42 pregnancy weeks.

The research comprised 79 women in 38-42 weeks of pregnancy. The FN concentration was determined in amniotic fluid and plasma by the solid phase immunoenzymatic method (ELISA) with the use of mice monoclonal antibody (TaKaRa FN 30-8).

The FN concentration in amniotic fluid ranged from 0.001 to 0.18 mg/ml whereas in plasma from 0.15 to 3.0 mg/ml. In the cases of determination of FN in amniotic fluid the most of the samples (64 of 83; 77%) were enclosed between 0.025 and 0.08 mg/ml. In plasma 70% of the results (57 of 81) ranged from 0.25 to 0.8 mg/ml.

In 38-40 weeks of pregnancy cellular FN concentration increases whereas in 41-42 weeks it decreases gradually. No differences were observed in the fibronectin concentration level in the blood plasma and amniotic fluid of pregnant women as compared to parturients.