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MONOAMINE OXIDASE ACTIVITY IN THE FETAL LUNG AND LIVER
Author(s) -
Jones J. B.,
Papadaki Lucienne,
Hubbard Joyce
Publication year - 1976
Publication title -
bjog: an international journal of obstetrics and gynaecology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.157
H-Index - 164
eISSN - 1471-0528
pISSN - 1470-0328
DOI - 10.1111/j.1471-0528.1976.tb00867.x
Subject(s) - monoamine oxidase , tryptamine , fetus , monoamine neurotransmitter , serotonin , lung , medicine , gestation , endocrinology , chemistry , enzyme , substrate (aquarium) , monoamine oxidase a , biochemistry , biology , pregnancy , ecology , receptor , genetics
Summary Monoamine oxidase (MAO) in lung and liver is important in the degradation of circulating 5‐hydroxytryptamine. These sites of MAO activity have been investigated histochemically in the human fetus of 12 to 18 weeks gestation. Enzyme activity could be demonstrated in the liver by both tryptamine and adrenaline oxidation. In the lung, MAO activity was present only when adrenaline was used as substrate. It may be, therefore, that in the premature baby the capacity of MAO to metabolize 5‐hydroxytryptamine is not fully developed, which could lead to deleterious effects on pulmonary function.