Scanning gel densitometry of amniotic fluid acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase: quantification of 'faint-positive' bands in fetal malformations.
The quantification of 'faint-positive' cholinesterases in amniotic fluid was performed in 40 patients with positive acetylcholinesterase (AchE) tests. Fetuses with anencephaly and open spina bifida presented an AchE/butyrylcholinesterase (A/B) ratio of more than 0.3 with clearly dense bands. Fetuses with gastroschisis showed a 'faint-positive' AchE band (A/B < 0.3). In 5 fetuses (1 teratoma, 3 open spina bifida, 1 unaffected) we found faint AchE and butyrylcholinesterase bands.
Dupont
M
M
Laboratoire de Biochimie génétique, Hôpital Arnaud-de-Villeneuve, Montpellier, France.
Vallet
B
B
Brun
A
A
Boulot
P
P
Demaille
J
J
D000110:Acetylcholinesterase / Q000032:analysis*; D000653:Amniotic Fluid / Q000201:enzymology*; D000757:Anencephaly / Q000201:enzymology; D002091:Butyrylcholinesterase / Q000032:analysis*; D000013:Congenital Abnormalities / Q000201:enzymology*; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D011296:Prenatal Diagnosis; D016135:Spinal Dysraphism / Q000201:enzymology; D013724:Teratoma / Q000201:enzymology
D000110:Acetylcholinesterase; D002091:Butyrylcholinesterase