[Activity of serum leucine aminopeptidase lamp in normal and pathologic pregnancies].

The activity of the enzyme leucine aminopeptidase (LAmP) in serum was examined in 305 pregnant women (174 women with normal pregnancy, and 131 women with disturbed pregnancy). The activity of this enzyme increases during the normal development of pregnancy. In disturbed pregnancies, the LAmP activity is lower as compared to normal pregnancies. A peculiar case: toxemia of pregnancy, where the activity of the enzyme is considerably increased. This fact may be compared with the increase of LAmP activity in cases of liver damage. The LAmP activity test in pregnancy is reliable and can be performed practically in every laboratory, thus deserving its place among the many tests meant to assess the normal function of the foeto-placental unit. This test may also help in the diagnostic of some specific pregnancies such as twin pregnancy, hydatidiform mole and extra-uterine pregnancy.