THE SEROMUCOID GLYCOPROTEIN SUB‐FRACTION IN PREGNANCY AND THE EARLY PUERPERIUM

Abstract

Summary An investigation has been made of the seromucoid glycoprotein subfraction in pregnancy and the early puerperium. The results show that the seromucoid concentration remains virtually constant for the first 28–30 weeks of pregnancy and increases slightly in the last 10–12 weeks. Allowing for the expansion of plasma volume, there is, therefore, a steady increase in the total amount of seromucoid with increasing maturity. After delivery the seromucoid level rises to about twice the average value in pregnancy. These findings are discussed in relation to immunological aspects of gestation and they are in keeping with the view that the mother lays down an immunological barrier between herself and the fetus.