Protection of pregnant mice with phospholipase C and with Arvin against foetal death induced by bacterial lipopolysaccharide.

Injection of bacterial lipopolysaccharide into pregnant mice resulted in fibrinogen accumulation, thrombosis and haemorrhage in the placental tissue and foetal death. Depletion of circulating fibrinogen by a thrombin-like enzyme from the venom of Malayan pit viper, Arvin, prevents foetal death. Foetal protection was also obtained by treating the mothers with a preparation of phospholipase C from Bacillus cereus known to inactivate tissue thromboplastin. It is suggested the lipopolysaccharide causes foetal death by inducing thrombosis as a consequence of activation of placental thromboplastin.