Detection of proteins in human amniotic fluid using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis.

Samples of human amniotic fluid from 48 pregnancies were examined by high resolution two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and the positions of the major peptides were mapped. Many of the proteins in amniotic fluid also occur in adult and fetal serum. Three regions in the amniotic fluid maps could be defined containing peptides which were not found in adult or fetal serum. The concentration of these peptides is variable and their origin is as yet unknown. Many differences were seen between adult and fetal serum proteins.