Glutamic oxaloacetic and glutamic pyruvate transaminases in the placenta, maternal and cord sera of undernourished mothers and non pregnant women

Abstract

In 70 pregnant women at delivery the maternal serum, cord serum and placental transaminases were studied in relation to maternal nutritional status. A control group of 36 non-pregnant women was also studied. The serum transaminases at term were significantly higher than the levels observed in non-pregnant women. The serum GOT in pregnant mothers belonging to the better nutritional group was significantly higher than those in socio-economic groups II, III and IV or those having a maternal serum albumin less than 2.0 g. per cent and free alpha amino nitrogen less than 4.0 mg. per cent. The levels of maternal and cord serum transaminases were identical, except for a significantly low cord GPT in the maternal group having serum albumin less than 2.0 g. per cent. The placental GOT was significantly lower in maternal undernutrition, while the GPT remained unaltered.