Abstract
Summary and Conclusions
1. Regarding the pregnant organism as a multi-compartment system the exchange rate of the water in amniotic fluid with the water of the maternal and fetal systems, was determined. By the application of trans-abdominal catheters, placed into the amniotic sac of pregnant women at term, amniotic fluid could be withdrawn at desired intervals without disturbing the continuity of the system. The mechanism of tracer (deuterium) exchange was demonstrated to be that demanded by theory, and the application of well known theoretic equations to the data so obtained permitted the calculation of absolute exchange rates. 2. In 2 experiments where the isotopic tracer was first placed in one compartment (mother) and then in the other (amniotic fluid) the exchange rates in both directions were found to be about 600 cc per hour. The observations of Flexner and his associates on the exchange rate of the water of the amniotic fluid are thus confirmed in principle.
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