Excretion of urinary enzymes in normal pregnancy

Objectives: To study the pattern of excretion of enzymes in urine during normal pregnancy. Design and methods: Primigravidae, with uncomplicated pregnancies, were followed up throughout gestation. Urine samples were collected from them and activities of alanine aminopeptidase (AAP), gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), acid phosphatase (ACP) and N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase (NAG) activities in urine were estimated. Results: Small but significant increases were found in the activities of AAP and NAG excreted through the course of pregnancy. The changes seen in excretion of ACP and GGT were not statistically significant. Conclusions: Changes in excretion of ACP and GGT may be useful indicators of renal dysfunction in pregnancy, as their activities did not vary significantly through the course of normal pregnancy. (c) 2006 The Canadian Society of Clinical Chemists. All rights reserved.