Determination of phosphatidylcholine in amniotic fluid

A relatively rapid method for measuring phosphatidylcholine (lecithin) quantitatively in amniotic fluid has been described that requires 1 ml or less of sample for fluids having a total phospholipid concentration greater than 25 mg/liter. Following extraction with chloroform-methanol, the solvent is passed through a calcium hydroxyphosphate column which removes the acidic phospholipids and allows passage of the phosphatidylcholine and sphingomyelin. Hydrolysis with periodate-sulfuric acid selectively releases inorganic phosphate from the phosphatidylcholine that is measured by reduction of the formed phosphomolybdate complex to the usual blue color. Various mixtures of phospholipids were carried through the entire procedure with excellent recoveries. Phosphatidylcholine added to an amniotic fluid pool was also quantitatively recovered, so that the method appeared completely suitable for routine clinical laboratory use.