Ornithine decarboxylase activity in human fetal liver

The Km of ODC in human fetal liver is comparable with values obtained in other tissues and species (3.3 X 10(-4) M). The ODC activity in human fetal liver varies with the gestational age of the fetus, declining rapidly from a peak in the youngest tissue examined. Human fetal liver explants maintained in organ culture for 32 hr demonstrate no ODC activity in the presence or absence of insulin. Rat fetal liver explants display a prolonged period of stable ODC activity after 16 hr in organ culture.