Is there a human fetal gallbladder contractility during pregnancy?

The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether human fetal gallbladder c ontractility exists in the second half of pregnancy. Ultrasound examination s were performed on 54 normal pregnant women from 20 to 40 weeks of gestati on. Fetal gallbladder volume was monitored every 30 min from 08:00 to 18:00 h in each patient. Maximum gallbladder volume was related linearly with ge stational age between 20 and 32-35 weeks of gestation, after which a platea u was observed. Minimum gallbladder volume was unchanged throughout gestati on. Functional capacity (maximum volume - minimum volume) of the fetal gall bladder increased linearly with advancing gestation until 32-35 weeks gesta tion, and thereafter was constant. Contractility rate [(maximum volume - mi nimum volume/ maximum volune) x 100] increased curvilinearity with advancin g gestation (R-2 = 30.7%, P < 0.0001). The daily change in fetal gallbladde r volume showed a typical sinusoidal pattern, and the contractility cycle o f gallbladder volume was unchanged during pregnancy (3.1 +/- 0.6 h). These results suggest that there is an apparent gallbladder contractility in huma n fetuses in utero, and that maternal meals seem not to affect the volume o f the fetal gallbladder. Further study is needed to clarify the physiologic al role of fetal gallbladder contractility during pregnancy.