Amniotic fluid analysis for ante‐partum foetal assessment in the horse

Concentration of Lamellar Bodies and the Lecithin/Sphingomyelin Ratio in Equine Amniotic Fluid at the Time of Delivery

“…In one of these studies the L/S ratio was higher than 4:1 in 10/14 occasions (Williams et al, 1992), while in other studies the mean L/S ratio was 2.1-2.2 (Paradis, 1987;Castagnetti et al, 2004). Moreover, on comparison between AF collected by amniocentesis and AF collected at delivery in the same mare, the L/S ratio was not considered a useful tool in evaluation of lung maturity (Williams et al, 1992). In our study 3/8 samples showed a L/S ratio higher than 4:1, while the remaining five were in the range from 1.6 to 3.…”

Evaluation and Management of High-Risk Pregnancy in the Mare

“…4,5 Evaluation of fetal fluids is a relatively new development in equine fetal perinatology and holds promise for more precise diagnostic and therapeutic intervention. 17,18 Assessment of readiness-for-birth using endocrine testing and prepartum mammary secretion electrolyte concentrations has allowed improved prediction of the likelihood of extrauterine survival.…”

“…17 Unfortunately, pulmonary maturity standards have not been established for the equine, and there is a high degree of overlap between values obtained at various stages of gestation. 18 These procedures present some risks, particularly the introduction of bacterial contaminants into the allantoic or amniotic spaces. Another possible complication is tearing of the fetal membranes, permitting mixing of amniotic and allantoic fluid followed by abortion.…”

Role of Lung Surfactant in Respiratory Disease: Current Knowledge in Large Animal Medicine

“…FLM testing is not considered a reliable test in equine neonatal medicine 11,171,172 . L/S ratios and PG levels measured from amniotic fluid (collected either by transabdominal amniocentesis, at parturition or during C‐section) failed to predict lung maturity in several studies.…”

“…A respiratory distress syndrome in foals was reported several years later and foal surfactant was characterized by some of the same researchers that first described it in human medicine 7–9 . Whereas fetal lung maturity (FLM) testing and exogenous surfactant therapy significantly enhanced survival in premature infants, 10 their use and success in veterinary medicine has remained limited 11,12 …”