The relationship between trypsin activity in amniotic fluid and premature rupture of membranes

Trypsin activity and concentration of alpha 1-antitrypsin in amniotic fluid were measured in patients with and without premature rupture of membranes. Trypsin activity in amniotic fluid with premature rupture of membranes (127 +/- 57 U/L) was found to be significantly higher than in cases without premature rupture of membranes (14 +/- 20 U/L) (p less than 0.01). The concentration of alpha 1-antitrypsin in amniotic fluid with premature rupture of membranes (6.8 +/- 5.5 mg/dl) was significantly lower than in cases without premature rupture (25.2 +/- 20.2 mg/dl) (p less than 0.01). Trypsin activity and concentration of alpha 1-antitrypsin in amniotic fluid were not influenced by rupture of membranes and labor. These studies suggest that high trypsin activity and low concentration of alpha 1-antitrypsin in amniotic fluid is one cause of premature rupture of membranes.