Studies on Serum N-Acetyl-β-D-Glucosaminidase in Pregnant Woman

In order to study the qualitative difference of β-NAG in normal and pathologic pregnancies, the isozyme patterns of β-NAG were determined by acrylamide gelelectrofocusing (disc GEF), attempts mere also made to study the mechanism of β-NAG release from the human placenta, using a tissue incubation system. 1) β-NAG in the serum of non-pregnant subjects showed 2 is ozymes on disc GEF, positioned at pH 5.2 (A-form) and at pH 7.6 (B-form). However, in addition to A and B-forms which were found in non-pregnant subject. Normal pregnant subject showed P_forms of isozyme at pH6~7 region. The pattern of P-forms in serum from toxemia of pregnancy were different from those in normal pregnancy. 2) In vitro study using a tissue incubation system of human placenta demon started that the normal placental tissue could produce and release β-NAG activities. Under the condition of low temperature and low oxygen, release of β-NAG from placental tissue was significantly suppressed. Cyclic AMP, Prostaglandin and ATP were ineffective on the release of β-NAG activities from the normal placental tissue.