Polyamine Oxidase Activity in Amniotic Fluid and Fetal Membranes

Abstract

Summary Polyamine oxidase activity, already shown to be present in maternal serum, was measured in amniotic fluid between 15 and 40 weeks of gestation in 38 samples. The enzyme activity increased as pregnancy progressed, the levels being lower than those found in the maternal serum. Homogenates of chorion, amnion, separately and together, also showed the presence of enzyme activity, the levels being lower than those previously found in the decidua, but substantially higher than those found in the placenta. It is suggested that the enzyme found in amniotic fluid might be the consequence of a diffusion from the decidua through the membranes.

Enzymes of polyamine biodegradation pathway in amniotic fluid during the pregnancy compared with values of L/S ratio

“…Serum polyamine oxidase activity was significantly higher in the women having normal pregnancies Polyamine oxidase activity in amniotic fluid increased as pregnancy progressed. The enzyme found in amniotic fluid might be the consequence of diffusion from the decidua through the membranes [32], [38], [55]. According, the increasing of PAO activity during the pregnancy, observed in our investigation with amniotic fluid, may be explained in the context of maintaining the levels of polyamines in physiological ranges which support normal embryo development during the pregnancy.…”