Erythrocyte packing rates and altered lysolecithin levels during pregnancy.

The rate of packing of erythrocytes during centrifugation has been measured as an index of erythrocyte flexibility. Exposure of erythrocytes to sub-haemolytic concentrations of lysolecithin decreased their packing rate indicating that the cells had become less flexible. Erythrocyte packing rates and plasma lysolecithin levels have been measured in a series of forty pregnant and non-pregnant women. The plasma concentrations of lysolecithin were significantly lower in pregnant women when compared with non-pregnant women. In contrast to this, the plasma concentrations of total phospholipid and lecithin were elevated during pregnancy. Erythrocyte packing rates were increased during pregnancy and a statistically very significant negative correlation was found between erythrocyte packing rate and plasma lysolecithin concentration.