Fetal intestinal disaccharidases in human amniotic fluid.

Based on data from two human fetuses, a correlation exists between amniotic fluid and intestinal disaccharidase activities suggesting that the fetal intestine is the source of these amniotic fluid enzymes. Intestinal disaccharides are apparently released into the amniotic cavity by fetal defecation. As indicated by the drop of disaccharidase activities in amniotic fluid at 22 weeks gestation, defecation stops at this period of gestation.