FETAL ORIGIN OF AMNIOTIC FLUID INSULIN IN THE HUMAN MOTHER

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Abstract
To investigate insulin origin in amniotic fluid, amniocenteses were carried out in pregnancies with live, dead and anencephalic fetuses. Amniotic fluid insulin of pregnant women bearing live fetuses was 9.0 .+-. 2.1 .mu.U[unit]/ml; in 6 women with dead fetuses amniotic fluid insulin was not detected. A significant positive correlation was observed between gestational age and the amniotic fluid insulin concentration. In the amniotic fluid of the 4 women bearing anencephalic fetuses, the amount of hormone was within normal limits (10.0 .+-. 1.4 .mu.U/ml). I.v. glucose administration (0.33 g/kg body wt) to the mother did not influence insulin levels in amniotic fluid, but brought about changes in amniotic fluid glucose concentration. Human amniotic fluid insulin apparently is of fetal rather than maternal origin.