[Amino acid metabolism in the human placenta during its functional maturation]

The total content of free amino acids in chorion villi of the 7-40-week human placenta rises from 41 up to 71 mg%, which is mostly due to an increase in the content of replaceable amino acids. In the process of development the intensity of glutaminic acid desamination changes essentially and correlates with changes in its content in the placenta. The aspartate and alanine aminotransferase activity in the placenta during the period under study rises almost twice, that correlates with changes in the content of alanine, glutaminic and asparginic acids in the corresponding periods of development.