Assessment of foetal lung surfactant in amniotic fluid of dogs by bubble test, to evaluate foetal maturity*

Abstract

Study was conducted to determine the reliability of bubble test for assessment of lung surfactant in amniotic fluid and its application in clinical level to judge the foetal maturity. Amniotic fluid samples were collected from the foetuses of dogs undergoing elective caesarean section (Group I) at term and from the foetuses of dogs undergoing ovariohysterectomy at different stages of gestation, following misalliance (Group II). All the samples from neonates of Group I were found positive for bubble test, with variable grades ranging from two to four. All the samples from Group II foetuses were found negative for bubble test, with grade of zero and one. The results signify the presence of adequate foetal surfactant in amniotic fluid of mature foetuses when compared to that of immature foetuses and also suggest the potential practical utility of bubble test for foetal maturity assessment, particularly for timing elective induction of whelping or timing of caesarean delivery

Keywords

• bubble test
• foetal maturity
• amniotic fluid
• surfactant
• gestation