N-acetyl-beta-glucosaminidase activity in serum during pregnancy.

A spectrophotometric method for the estimation of N-acetyl-beta-glucosaminidase in serum has been devised. Sera from normal adult males and females showed similar levels of activity. The activity in serum rose progressively during pregnancy and fell rapidly after parturition to normal levels. This change resembled closely that which occurs in serum beta-glucuronidase. Placenta showed a moderate and chorion a high level of N-acetyl-beta-glucosaminidase. High N-acetyl-beta-glucosaminidase activity was demonstrated histochemically in decidual cells. The functions of N-acetyl-beta-glucosaminidase and beta-glucuronidase and factors influencing their activity are discussed.