INVESTIGATIONS ON THE OCCURRENCE OF Rh SUBSTANCES IN AMNIOTIC FLUID

Abstract

1. Rh substances are found in amniotic fluid. Not all anti-Rh sera seem to be suitable for the detection of Rh substances in amniotic fluid. Careful selection of Rh antisera, as well as quantitative considerations, determine success or failure of their demonstration. 2. The baby's Rh type and not the mother's determines the occurrence of Rh substances in amniotic fluid. 3. There are Rh secretors and Rh non-secretors. At least four out of five individuals are secretors. 4. The secretion of Rh substance into the amniotic fluid would seem to be entirely independent of the secretion of the blood group specific substances. 5. The majority of Rh-positive amniotic fluids seem to contain both Rh1 and Rh2 substances. However, in certain instances fluids belonging to the pure Rh1 type or pure Rh2 type were found. 6. Three cases of erythroblastosis were described. All three came from Rh-negative mothers with Rh-positive babies. The amniotic fluids of all three failed to reveal the presence of Rh substances.