Concentration of metals, ceruloplasmin, metallothionein and activity of N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase and gamma-glutamyltransferase in pregnant women who smoke and in those environmentally exposed to tobacco and in their infants. II. Influence of environmental exposure in the Copper Basin.

Concentration of metals (Zn, Cu, Cd), Metallothionein (MT) and the activity of n-acetyl¿beta-glucosaminidase (NAG) in amniotic fluids and milk from smoking mothers and passive smokers, living in the area of higher environmental pollution with heavy metals, were measured. In active smokers a three-fold increase in Cd concentration, higher Cu and lower Zn concentrations, higher MT level and enhanced NAG activity in amniotic fluids as well as higher Cd, Cu and Zn concentrations and increased MT and NAG in milk were indicated, when compared to passive smokers. Some dynamics in metal and metallothionein secretion with mother's milk was noted on successive days after delivery. The highest MT level was observed during first 24 hrs postpartum, whereas Cd concentration was found to be highest on the third day. There were no significant differences in concentrations of Cu and Zn secreted with milk on those days. In environmentally exposed women higher Cd and Cu concentrations, enhanced MT level and Nag activity, higher amniotic fluid and lower milk Zn concentration were observed in comparison to women living in the Cieplice region.