Biochemical modifications of human whole saliva induced by pregnancy.
OBJECTIVE
To assess human unstimulated whole saliva components during pregnancy, to determine the relation, if any, between pregnancy and oral health, particularly total protein concentration, alpha-amylase activity, sialic acid content and calcium and phosphate concentrations were evaluated.


METHODS
Cross-sectional study.


METHODS
Forty-five healthy primigravid women; 15 nonpregnant women acted as controls.


RESULTS
1. A higher total protein content at 10 and 21 weeks of gestation with respect to the controls and to pregnant women at 40 weeks; 2. a higher alpha-amylase activity at 10 and 21 weeks of gestation compared with the controls and to pregnant women at 40 weeks; 3. an increased sialic acid content at 21 and 40 weeks; 4. decreased calcium and phosphorus concentrations at 21 and 40 weeks of gestation.


CONCLUSIONS
Pregnancy modifies saliva composition. This could play a pivotal role in the incidence of pregnancy-induced dental caries.
Salvolini
E
E
Istituto di Biochimica, Università degli Studi di Ancona, Italy.
Di Giorgio
R
R
Curatola
A
A
Mazzanti
L
L
Fratto
G
G
D000328:Adult; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D019158:N-Acetylneuraminic Acid / Q000378:metabolism; D009909:Oral Health; D010758:Phosphorus / Q000378:metabolism; D011247:Pregnancy / Q000378:metabolism*; D011261:Pregnancy Trimester, First; D011262:Pregnancy Trimester, Second; D011263:Pregnancy Trimester, Third; D011506:Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D012463:Saliva / Q000378:metabolism*; D000516:alpha-Amylases / Q000378:metabolism
D011506:Proteins; D010758:Phosphorus; D000516:alpha-Amylases; D019158:N-Acetylneuraminic Acid; D002118:Calcium