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Digoxin-like substance in amniotic fluid--fact or artifact?
Gynecologic and Obstetric Investigation
|January 1, 1986
Summary
Digoxin-like immunoreactive substance (DLIS) in amniotic fluid may be an artifact. Supplementing amniotic fluid with human serum significantly reduced DLIS levels, suggesting protein content affects measurement accuracy.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Clinical Chemistry
- Reproductive Biology
Background:
- A digoxin-like immunoreactive substance (DLIS) has been detected in amniotic fluid.
- Current radioimmunoassay kits use serum-based standards for DLIS quantification.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if DLIS measurements in amniotic fluid are influenced by its low protein content.
- To determine if DLIS measurement in amniotic fluid is a technical artifact.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of 12 amniotic fluid samples.
- Supplementation of samples with lyophilized human serum to increase protein concentration.
- Measurement of DLIS levels at varying protein concentrations (0, 32, and 63 g/l).
Main Results:
- DLIS levels decreased as protein concentration increased.
- Mean DLIS levels were 1.4 +/- 0.16 nmol/l at 0 g/l protein, 0.6 +/- 0.09 nmol/l at 32 g/l protein, and 0.4 +/- 0.09 nmol/l at 63 g/l protein.
Conclusions:
- The low protein content of amniotic fluid may contribute to a technical artifact in DLIS measurement.
- DLIS levels in amniotic fluid may be overestimated due to assay interference related to protein concentration.