Physiological importance of the connective tissue in the human amnion. Role of magnesium.

The elemental ionic distribution in the epithelial layer (EL) and in connective tissue (CT = compact layer + fibroblast layer) of the human amniotic membrane has been studied in reference samples, after conservation in a physiological fluid (Hanks' solution) and after addition of 2 mM MgCl2 in Hanks' solution. Particle induced X-ray emission and Rutherford backscattering spectrometry techniques were used to provide quantitative measurements. In physiological fluid, with regard to reference samples, the monovalent ions (Na+, K +, Cl-) concentrations were identical on both layers. This data indicates that the connective tissue, in particular the compact layer, acts as a buffer which fix minerals. Mg2+ and Ca2+ levels were higher in EL than in CT. The addition of MgCl2 in Hanks' solution induced a decrease of the monovalent ion concentrations in both layers except Na+ level in EL which remained constant, an increase of the Mg2+ level in both layers, while the Ca2+ remained constant. These data indicate the possible role of connective tissue in pregnancies complicated by poly or oligohydramnios

Physiological importance of the connective tissue in the human amnion. Role of magnesium.

The elemental ionic distribution in the epithelial layer (EL) and in connective tissue (CT = compact layer + fibroblast layer) of the human amniotic membrane has been studied in reference samples, after conservation in a physiological fluid (Hanks' solution) and after addition of 2 mM MgCl2 in Hanks' solution. Particle induced X-ray emission and Rutherford backscattering spectrometry techniques were used to provide quantitative measurements. In physiological fluid, with regard to reference samples, the monovalent ions (Na+, K +, Cl-) concentrations were identical on both layers. This data indicates that the connective tissue, in particular the compact layer, acts as a buffer which fix minerals. Mg2+ and Ca2+ levels were higher in EL than in CT. The addition of MgCl2 in Hanks' solution induced a decrease of the monovalent ion concentrations in both layers except Na+ level in EL which remained constant, an increase of the Mg2+ level in both layers, while the Ca2+ remained constant. These data indicate the possible role of connective tissue in pregnancies complicated by poly or oligohydramnios