ALKALINE-PHOSPHATASE (ALPP) IN PLACENTAL EXTRACT AND IN THE SERUM OF BLACK MIXED PARTURIENTS FROM BAHIA, BRAZIL

This paper analyses the levels of heat-stable placenta alkaline phosph atase (ALPP) in maternal serum and placental tissue extracts in 325 pa rturients of a Brazilian black mixed population. Based on a skewed to the right and departed from normal distribution of ALPP activity in pl acental extracts two groups were defined: group I (312 patients with v alues lower than 280 mg phenol/g/15') and group II (42 patients with v alues > 280). The cut-off point between groups is suggested by the his togram of enzyme levels. The levels of ALPP activity were correlated w ith a number of fetal and maternal parameters. The results of the sepa rated analysis of each group added evidence favoring group independenc e. The main characteristics differing between the groups were: positiv e correlation of enzyme levels with birthweight, fetal maturity and ph enotypes in group I and heavier babies and excess of primiparity in gr oup II. A biological explanation of these results is not possible at t his time because the function of ALPP is unknown.