Platelet-activating factor levels in human follicular and amniotic fluids

• Published in: European journal of obstetrics & gynecology and reproductive biology Vol. 46; no. 1; pp. 39 - 44
• Main Authors: Bernal, A.López, Newman, G.E., Phizackerley, P.J.R., Laird, E., Ross, C., Barlow, D.H.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Shannon Elsevier Ireland Ltd 21.08.1992; Elsevier
• Subjects: Amniotic Fluid - chemistry; Biological and medical sciences; Chromatography, Thin Layer; Estradiol - analysis; Female; Fertilization in Vitro; Follicular Cyst - chemistry; Follicular Fluid - chemistry; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Humans; Mother. Fetoplacental unit. Mammary gland. Milk; Ovulation; Parturition; Phospholipid mediator; Platelet Activating Factor - analysis; Platelet Activating Factor - isolation & purification; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Trimester, Second; Pregnancy Trimester, Third; Pregnancy. Parturition. Lactation; Progesterone - analysis; Radioimmunoassay; Vertebrates: reproduction; Parturition; Phospholipid mediator; Ovulation; Radioimmunoassay; Human; Ovarian follicular fluid; Amniotic fluid; Delivery; Platelet activating factor
• ISSN: 0301-2115; 1872-7654
• DOI: 10.1016/0028-2243(92)90277-6

Platelet-activating factor (PAF) was estimated in extracts of human follicular and amniotic fluids using a commercially available 125I-radioimmunoassay. Levels obtained before and after purification of the extracts by thin-layer chromatography were similar and PAF could be estimated with high accuracy and reproducibility over a wide dilution range. PAF levels in fluid aspirated from mature (17 mm average diameter) follicles from in vitro fertilization patients were 1005 ± 129 fmol/ml in successful (clinical pregnancy) cycles and 949 ± 75 fmol/ml in unsuccessful (failure of implantation) cycles. PAF levels were also similar in follicles containing eggs and those where no egg was found, and in fluid from follicular cysts characterised by low oestradiol and progesterone levels. PAF was detected in midtrimester amniotic fluid (60 ± 20 fmol/ml). At term, PAF was low or undetectable in amniotic fluid obtained at elective caesarean section before the onset of labour, but increased to 102 ± 28 fmol/ml in samples obtained following spontaneous labour and vaginal delivery. The data suggest that PAF may be involved in ovulation and parturition but further studies into the mechanism of action of PAF are necessary. The good performance of the radioimmunoassay and the convenience of gamma-counting are strong advantages of this method over the available bioassays, but its expense remains a drawback.