Serum Glycoprotein Changes in Pregnancy. ∗

Abstract

Summary

During pregnancy, total serum protein and serum albumin concentration decreased, while the α- and β-globulin protein fractions increased and the γ-globulin protein fraction remained at a rather constant level throughout pregnancy. Total serum glycoprotein, expressed as protein bound hexose, increased throughout the gestational period. This was accompanied by a rise in the levels of all glycoprotein fractions expressed as mg per 100 ml. Relative to the protein content of each fraction, the glycoprotein content of the albumin and γ-globulin fractions increased during pregnancy, while the α ₁-, α ₂- and β-fractions decreased in relative percentage of bound carbohydrate. During the early post partum period, albumin and γ-globulin glycoprotein decreased, while α ₁-, α ₂- and β-globulin glycoprotein increased. These results indicate that striking alterations of plasma protein metabolism occur in pregnancy.