Normal activities of glycolytic enzymes in the fetal erythrocytes.

Pure fetal blood was obtained by direct-vision fetoscopy from 24 fetuses at 17-24 weeks' gestation. The activities of 14 glycolytic enzymes in the erythrocytes were analysed by established techniques to find the normal ranges of activity for this gestational age. The results were compared with those obtained from 24 normal adults and with published values on neonatal blood. The activities of most enzymes in fetal erythrocytes were found to be higher and the relative pattern of activity different from those of adult or neonatal blood. The ranges were relatively narrow and can serve as reference values for the prenatal diagnosis of erythrocytic enzymopathies. Also, the activities of the glycolytic enzymes will provide a basis for the understanding of erythrocyte metabolism in the fetus.