[Selenium content and glutathione peroxidase activity in the red blood cell in non-pregnant and pregnant women].

The red blood cell (RBC) glutathione peroxidase (GSHPx) activity and selenium (Se) concentration were measured in healthy Japanese pregnant women and in non-pregnant controls. The GSHPx activities in RBC of full-term pregnant women were significantly higher than in non-pregnant women (p less than 0.01). The Se concentrations in RBC of full-term pregnant women were significantly higher than in non-pregnant controls (p less than 0.05). In the whole blood of full-term pregnant women a positive correlation was found between Se concentration and hemoglobin content (p less than 0.05). The Se concentrations in RBC of cord blood were significantly higher than in non-pregnant controls (p less than 0.01). The GSHPx activities in RBC of cord blood were significantly lower than in non-pregnant controls (p less than 0.01).