Researchers Identify Protective Properties of Amniotic Fluid

Researchers at Oregon Health & Science University have made new discoveries about amniotic fluid. Amniotic fluid is the vital fluid that surrounds and protects the fetus during pregnancy. In addition to providing much-needed cushioning and protection for the fetus, it also aids in the development of vital organs – particularly the lungs, digestive tract, and skin – and stabilizes the temperature in the womb. The new study, published in the journal Research and Practice in Thrombosis and Haemostasis, found that adding amniotic fluid to plasma – the liquid portion of blood – improved the blood’s ability to thicken and clot, which is a crucial and likely protective function during pregnancy and delivery for both the birthing parent and the baby.

Amniotic Fluid Composition and Proteins Change

The mechanism of the amniotic fluid’s role in fetal development is not well understood and understudied: The OHSU study is one of the first to explore how the characteristics and properties of amniotic fluid change over time, particularly the properties involved in blood thickening, and how these changes may affect clotting of maternal blood. If a pregnant person’s blood does not clot properly, it can lead to life-threatening complications for the fetus and the parent who is giving birth, including excessive bleeding during pregnancy and delivery.

“We have always known that amniotic fluid is very important for fetal development and growth, but beyond that, we don’t know much about it,” said the study’s corresponding author, Jamie Lo, M.D., M.C.R., an associate professor of obstetrics and gynecology (maternal-fetal medicine) at the OHSU School of Medicine and the Division of Reproductive and Developmental Sciences at the Oregon National Primate Research Center (ONPR C. “We studied the amniotic fluid during pregnancy and found that the composition and proteins in the amniotic fluid actually change to meet the growing needs of the developing baby.”

This discovery prompted Lo and her team to work with scientists from the Division of Biomedical Engineering at OHSU to further investigate the potential protective factors of amniotic fluid and to explore possible regenerative and therapeutic applications that could be developed in the future. The researchers analyzed the properties of amniotic fluid obtained through amniocentesis, a prenatal test that involves withdrawing a small amount of amniotic fluid to assess the health of the pregnancy, in both human and non-human primates at matched gestational ages.

Interventions to Improve Health

The results showed that amniotic fluid promotes blood clotting through key fatty acids and proteins that change in each trimester and help regulate blood clotting. Because amniotic fluid has untapped potential for diagnosing and treating various prenatal conditions, researchers are now working with Sanjay Malhotra, Ph.D., professor of cell, developmental and cancer biology at the OHSU School of Medicine, to study conditions in pregnancy – including those affecting the blood and blood-forming organs – that could benefit from the protective properties of proteins and other compounds in amniotic fluid.

The team also works with the OHSU Fetal Care Program to collect unique amniotic fluid samples, including those from pregnant women who undergo in utero surgery to repair neural tube defects such as spina bifida. The hope is that by studying the amniotic fluid of these pregnant women, it will be possible to determine whether there are unique developmental elements that can be targeted for future interventions to improve health outcomes. The researchers are eager to learn more about the possible uses of amniotic fluid components and how they can be used to improve prenatal and maternal health. “Through our research, our team is learning that amniotic fluid may be a crucial precursor to breast milk – almost like a “premature milk” for a fetus in the womb,” said Jamie Lo. Could this analogy be used to develop a formula suitable for premature babies that mimics amniotic fluid, promotes growth and development, and protects babies from the complications of premature birth? These questions open up entirely new research opportunities.

Concerns and Complications

Pregnancy Basics