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The presence of prolidase activity in amniotic fluid and its evaluation as a maturity test
1Department of Chemical Pathology and Human Metabolism, Royal Free Hospital, London, UK.
Insights
Amniotic fluid prolidase I activity may indicate fetal maturation. Higher prolidase levels correlated with lecithin and birth weight in term-mature infants, suggesting its potential as a fetal growth marker.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Developmental Biology
- Perinatology
Background:
- Prolidase (EC: 3.4.13.9) hydrolyzes peptide bonds containing proline or hydroxyproline.
- Collagen, rich in imino acids, is a major component of fetal tissues.
- Collagen turnover is high during fetal development, implicating prolidase in maturation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess amniotic fluid prolidase I activity as a marker of fetal maturation.
- To investigate the correlation between prolidase I activity, lecithin levels, and infant outcomes.
Main Methods:
- Measurement of amniotic fluid prolidase I activity in term and preterm pregnancies.
- Quantification of amniotic fluid lecithin concentration.
- Correlation analysis of prolidase I activity with lecithin levels and birth weight.
Main Results:
- Prolidase I activity showed a positive correlation with lecithin levels (r = 0.42, p < 0.02).
- A significant positive correlation was observed between prolidase I activity and birth weight in term-mature infants (r = 0.52, p < 0.01).
- Dysmature infants exhibited significantly lower amniotic fluid prolidase I activity.
Conclusions:
- Amniotic fluid prolidase I activity may serve as a valuable indicator of fetal maturation.
- Lower prolidase I activity in dysmature infants suggests a link to growth retardation.
- This enzyme's activity could offer insights into fetal development and well-being.
Abstract:
Prolidase (EC: 3.4.13.9) catalyses the hydrolysis of the peptide bond involving the imino nitrogen of proline or hydroxyproline. Because of the high proportion of imino acids in collagen, this enzyme plays an important role in its degradation. Since collagen turnover rate is expected to be high during fetal growth, the level of prolidase activity may reflect the degree of fetal maturation. In this study, amniotic fluid prolidase I activity was measured in term and preterm pregnancies. Lecithin concentration, which has been widely used for predicting fetal lung maturity, was also measured. Prolidase I activity was positively correlated with lecithin levels (n = 30; r = 0.42; p < 0.02), and also with birth weight of the babies (n = 30; r = 0.52; p < 0.01) in the term-mature group. Dysmature babies had significantly lower prolidase I activity in the amniotic fluid which was thought to be indicative of growth retardation.