title: The stability and short-term fluctuation in serum oxytocinase activity in pregnancy.
abstract: Maternal serum samples obtained from 123 normal pregnant women between 28 and 40 weeks gestation were analysed for oxytocinase (EC 3.4.11.3) activity using s-benzyl-1-cysteine-4-nitroanilide as substrate. Oxytocinase activity was found to be stable at varying temperatures, with a mean co-efficient of variation of 5.0%. The short-term fluctuation of oxytocinase activity had a mean coefficient of variation of 3.6%. There is no suggestion of a "pulsatile" release of oxytocinae from its placental origin.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics, Rutherglen Maternity Hospital, Glasgow, UK.
authors.forename: A A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Edebiri
authors.forename: D S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Mack
authors.forename: D J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: McDonald
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Philips
mesh_terms: D000626:Aminopeptidases / Q000097:blood*; D010122:Cystinyl Aminopeptidase / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010920:Placenta / Q000201:enzymology; D011247:Pregnancy / Q000097:blood*; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D000626:Aminopeptidases; D010122:Cystinyl Aminopeptidase