Activities of some peptidases and glycolytic enzymes in cells of the amniotic fluid. II. Pregnancies complicated by threatening intrauterine fetal asphyxia.

Activities of leucylaminopeptidase, aspartyl aminopeptidase, gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase, oxytocinase, phosphohexoisomerase, phosphofructokinase and aldolase were studied in amniotic cells from cases of pregnancy complicated by threatening intrauterine fetal asphyxia. Leucylaminopeptidase and oxytocinase activities were much higher in the group of pregnancies complicated by threatening fetal asphyxia than in the control group. It was concluded that elevated activity of the aforementioned enzymes in cells of the amniotic fluid from pregnancies complicated by threatening intrauterine asphyxia is due to acute hypoxia of the fetus.

Activities of some peptidases and glycolytic enzymes in cells of the amniotic fluid. i. Pregnancies terminated prematurely, at term, and postmaturely.

Activities of leucylaminopeptidase, gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase, oxytocinase and aldolase were significantly elevated in the cells of amniotic fluids from cases of premature delivery, compared with cases of delivery at term. The authors conclude that examination of the activities of the aforementioned enzymes can be utilized in prenatal diagnosis of the state of maturity of the fetus.

PIP: The activities of leucylaminopeptidase (LAP), gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGTP), aspartyl aminopeptidase (ANA), oxytocinase (CAP), aldolase (ALD), phosphohexoisomerase (PHI), and phosphofructokinase (PFK) were studied in cells of the amniotic fluid of pregnancies terminated prematurely, at term, and postmaturely. LAP, GGTP, CAP, and ALD were significantly elevated in cases of premature delivery compared with those delivered at term. These differences in enzyme levels can help in determining the state of maturity of the fetus.