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[Lecithin and sphingomyelin in amniotic fluid in late pregnancy in dairy cows]
Phospholipides were isolated from 26 amniotic fluids of highly pregnant dairy cows and the lecithin : sphingomyelin ratio (the L/S index) was determined; this ratio ranged from 1.9 to 12.0 (mean = 6.5; n = 20), and in other cases only lecithin was clearly detected (n = 6). During the studied period of 249 to 277 days of pregnancy, no significant correlation was found, by the method used, between the age of the foetus and the L/S index in the amniotic fluid. The modifications of the methods in which the concentrations of different phospholipids are used for the determination of the maturity of foetal lungs, are discussed, together with the possibility of using and interpreting the L/S index in cattle.
Phospholipides were isolated from 26 amniotic fluids of highly pregnant dairy cows and the lecithin : sphingomyelin ratio (the L/S index) was determined; this ratio ranged from 1.9 to 12.0 (mean = 6.5; n = 20), and in other cases only lecithin was clearly detected (n = 6). During the studied period of 249 to 277 days of pregnancy, no significant correlation was found, by the method used, between the age of the foetus and the L/S index in the amniotic fluid. The modifications of the methods in which the concentrations of different phospholipids are used for the determination of the maturity of foetal lungs, are discussed, together with the possibility of using and interpreting the L/S index in cattle.