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Oxytocinase Activity of Plasma of Pregnant Women

Nature volume 191, pages 176–177 (1961)Cite this article

Abstract

IT has been shown1 that plasma or serum from pregnant women has the power of inactivating oxytocin when incubated with the hormone. This power is thought to be dependent on an enzyme, called oxytocinase. The enzyme inactivates both natural and synthetic oxytocin2–5. The rate at which plasma inactivates oxytocin increases with the age of pregnancy1,4,6–9. Maximum values are said to be reached around the 36th week of pregnancy, after which they remain at the same level until delivery. After parturition the oxytocinase activity decreases progressively, becoming very low in about one month.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Uppsala,

    STIG E. J. MELANDER

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  1. STIG E. J. MELANDER
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MELANDER, S. Oxytocinase Activity of Plasma of Pregnant Women. Nature 191, 176–177 (1961). https://doi.org/10.1038/191176a0

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