Glycosaminoglycan Metabolism in Pregnancy

Abstract

An unselected group of pregnant patients was followed during pregnancy. Serial assays were made of maternal serum levels of hyaluronidase activity, free amino sugar and uronic acid. It was found that there was a highly significant correlation between the serum levels of hyaluronidase activity and uronic acid, both of which rose during pregnancy. In normal pregnancy the maternal serum amino sugar level showed a moderately significant correlation with length of gestation, which was not shown in abnormal pregnancies. Conversely the rise in uronic acid level with length of gestation was most significant in patients with complicated pregnancies.

Maternal Serum Hyaluronidase Activity in Pregnancy

“…The changes occurring in the concentration of these compounds in mouse uteri have been investi gated by Svejcar (13). In association with changes in glycosaminoglycan content there is evidence of increased turnover of these macro molecules as shown by changing levels of prod ucts of metabolism such as amino sugars and uronic acids (9) and also changes in maternal serum hyaluronidase activity (7,9,10).…”