Abstract

The values of the serum cystine aminopeptidase and leucine aminopeptidase activities in clinically healthy pregnant women have been studied using Iatron Kit according to months of gestation periods. 1. The serum cystine aminopeptidase and leucine aminopeptidase activities in extensively normal women (control group) were 13.75±2.67 munit/ml. and 170.33±33.39 G-R unit/ml. respectively, and fail to show remarkable changes in early pregnancy (up to 5 months of periods). 2. The mean CAP and LAP activities in normal pregnant women showed progressively increasing tendency by months of gestation with a mean of 175±64.30 munit/ml. and 517.2±165.47 G-R unit/ml. at term. About 15 fold increased value in CAP and 3 to 4 fold increased value in LAP than those of early pregnancy and control group were noted at term. 3. A positive correlation (P<0,005) was found between cystine aminopeptidase and leucine aminopeptidase activities in pregnant women. It is, therefore, suggested that the comparative evaluation of cystine aminopeptidase and leucine aminopeptidase activities, relatively simple and easy to perform, could be used as a parameter in judging the functional state of the placenta during late pregnancy.