Enzymatic differentiation in human amniotic cells

Enzymatic study in noncultured amniotic fluid cells from 87 women at different stages of pregnancy was performed by electrophoresis. Of these patients, 33 had normal pregnancies and the remaining 54 had various complications of pregnancy. The electrophoretic patterns of lactate dehydrogenase, alpha-esterase, and acid phophatase were altered in samples obtained either at different gestation periods or from normal and complicated pregnancies. Malate dehydrogenase and protein bands did not show any alteration. Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase and alkaline phophatase were not detectable. 6-Phosphogluconate dehydrogenase was detectable in samples of complicated pregnancies. The significance of the altered patterns of enzymes is discussed.