A POSSIBLE EFFECT OF ULTRASOUND ON RNA-SYNTHESIS IN CULTURED AMNIOCYTES

The effect of both diagnostic and therapeutic ultrasound on cellular RNA synthesis was investigated in amniocytes cultured in F-10 medium enriched with fetal calf serum. The rate of RNA synthesis was tested using incorporation of H-3 uridine, which was added following the exposure to acid insoluble RNA. Cultured amniocytes which were not exposed to ultrasound served as the control. Different results were obtained following the two ranges of exposure. A significant decrease in RNA synthesis was demonstrated immediately following diagnostic ultrasound and a certain increase in RNA synthesis was demonstrated soon after exposure to therapeutic doses. These effects were transient and could not be shown 24 hours later. It is concluded that the routine use of ultrasound can not have any clinical implications on RNA synthesis.