Relationship of age and sex to postheparin esterase activity.

Postheparin esterase (E. C. 3.1.1.1.) activity was studied in 130 women and 126 men in whom the medical findings were consistent with their age. The test subjects were divided into 5 age groups from 17 to 73 years. Postheparin esterase activity was found to be statistically significantly higher in men than in women. In men it was uncorrelated to age, while in women it rose with advancing age. Changes in postheparin esterase in women appear to be correlated to the hormonal state of the organism.