Studies on the lysosomal enzymes activity during delivery.

The activities of lysosomal enzymes: acid phosphatase, beta-glucuronidase, proteolytic (caseinolytic) activity and lysozymic activity were studied in intrauterine, peripheral and umblical cord blood. It was found that the highest activity of enzymes was in the blood taken from the cavity of the uterus, somewhat lower enzymatic activity was found in peripheral venous blood. The lowest activity of enzymes was regularly observed in the umbilical cord (neonatal) blood. The possible causes of these differences were discussed. The phenomenon described may be brought about by the delivery trauma of uterus and the regressive alterations occurring there. The abnormal enzyme activity in umbilical cord blood may, on the other hand, be explained by incomplete enzymatic maturity of the newborn. Although the parameters studied can present the intensity of the regressive alterations occurring in the cavity of uterus, the determinations of enzymatic activities in the peripheral blood of the paturients do not seem to be of a significant diagnostic or prognostic value.