ABSTRACT
An immunosuppressive early pregnancy factor (EPF) present in the serum of pregnent women, between 3 and 6 weeks of gestation, was isolated and purified using ion-exchange chromatography, affinity chromatography and gel filtration techniq(?) The serum samples and chromatographic fractions were measured for EPF activity using rossette inhibition test and hCG content by radioimmunoassay. The result showed that the column eluates (?) gel filtration exhibited no hCG (3. 1 ng/ ml). The fraction containing the bulk of EPF on SDS polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis revealed the presence of polypeptide bands of molecular weight at 24 kDa and 41 kDa respectively.
ABSTRACT
The nutritional status, serum protein, albumin, calcium, zinc, iron, SF, FEP, vitamin A, activity of RBC transketolase, and blood glutathione redu-ctase of 349 normal primigravidas, 30 healthy non-pregnant women and 42 toxemic gravidas were estimated longitudinally from the 1st trimester to delivery. It was noted that serum protein, albumin, Ca, Zn, and Fe decreased markedly in the course of pregnancy. The content of serum vitamin A showed no variation or decrease in the 3rd trimester in 1/3 of the pregnant women observed. Insufficiency of thiamine and riboflavin were noted in 16.7% and 47% of the normal pregnant women respectively. The adequate nutrients intakes in pregnancy were considered to be: Energy, +200 kcal/d; Protein, + 15g/d in the 2nd trimester and +25g/d in the 3rd trimester; Calcium 1000 mg/d in the 2nd trimester and 1500mg/d in the 3rd trimester; Zinc, 20mg/d; Iron 26 or 30 mg/d by supplementation if possible; vitaminA 1000 ?gRE/d; both thiamine and riboflavin 1.8 mg/d.