Acid and alkaline phosphatase activity in the morphotic elements of the amniotic fluid.

Acid and alkaline phosphatases were determined histochemically in the cells of the amniotic fluid obtained from the term pregnancies. Relatively high activity of the acid phosphatase was found within macrophages, few neutrophils and some polygonal cells from the intermediate layer of stratified epithelium. Moderate activity of this enzyme was demonstrated in sheets of superficial epitheliocytes and partly cornified cells of hair. Weak activity of the alkaline phosphatase was found in superficial epithelia, in neutrophils and clumps of meconium. It is suggested that demonstration of the acid phosphatase in the morphotic elements of the amniotic fluid might possess certain diagnostic significance.