Lipids in amniotic membranes

Abstract 1.1. Total lipids, phospholipids, esterified fatty acids (EFA), and cholesterol were studied in 167 amniotic membranes. These membranes were taken from 60 women of European origin, 63 women of Oriental origin, and 44 women of Yemenite origin. Venous blood was also studied for total lipids in these three groups of women. 2.2. Total lipids blood values were highest in the European women and lowest in the Yemenite women. 3.3. Total lipids in dry mass of amnion had a mean value of 10.00 per cent, in European women while this value was 8.40 per cent in Oriental women and 7.60 per cent in Yemenite women. 4.4. Phospholipids in the amniotic membranes studied (142 cases) ranged between 19 per cent and 76 per cent of total lipids. An inverse correlation was found between the values of total lipids and phospholipids. This leads to the conclusion that the increase in lipids in the membranes is mostly due to an increase in their triglyceride contents. 5.5. The lipid contents of amniotic membranes would thus appear to be influenced by blood lipid contents and patients diet.