DEVELOPMENT AND EFFICACY OF ULTRASOUND-GUIDED FETAL FLUID ASPIRATION TECHNIQUES FOR PRENATAL-DIAGNOSIS OF CAPRINE BETA-MANNOSIDOSIS

Ultrasound-guided fetal fluid sampling was performed on 13 pregnant go ats at Days 59 to 65 of gestation to establish safe techniques for acc urate sampling and to determine the feasibility of prenatal diagnosis of beta-mannosidosis. Fluids were analyzed for electrolyte and creatin ine content to assess accuracy of sampling. Values correlated well wit h previously reported concentrations for caprine and ovine fetal fluid s at the same gestational stage. The single abortion which occurred fo llowing ultrasound-guided sampling was correlated with placentome pene tration and aspiration of bloody fluids. Thin layer chromatography of amniotic and allantoic fluids was performed to detect oligosaccharides that accumulate in beta-mannosidosis. Abnormal accumulated oligosacch arides were identified in the allantoic but not amniotic fluid from a beta-mannosidase-deficient 62-d-old fetus. Thus, allantocentesis was s hown to be an optimal, safe procedure for providing information at thi s gestational stage to diagnose caprine beta-mannosidosis.