[Lipids of pulmonary surfactant in the amniotic fluid of swine during ontogenesis].

Abstract

Phospholipids and fatty acids in phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylglycerol fractions of pulmonary surfactant isolated from pig amniotic fluid from the last trimester of pregnancy were investigated. The permanent rise in phosphatidylcholine and temporary increase in phosphatidylinositol contents in the two last weeks of pregnancy were observed. Phosphatidylcholine/sphingomyelin ratio was increasing beginning from the 85th day of pregnancy. A rise in palmitic acid level in phosphatidylcholine fraction of surfactant was observed in the last two weeks of intrauterine life. It is suggested that these parameters may be useful in prenatal diagnosis of foetal lung maturity in pig.