A Parotid Salivary Protein Present during Late Pregnancy and Postpartum 1

Abstract

Summary

Stimulated parotid saliva was collected from: (i) eight pregnant subjects at intervals from about 2-3 months gestation to 2 weeks prepartum and at 4-6 weeks postpartum; (ii) three of the above eight donors 4 months postpartum; (iii) one individual each of the 9 days prior to delivery and at 1,2, and 3 days postpartum; (iv) 55 individuals 1-4 days postpartum; (v) 12 male and 12 female control subjects. A marked increase in or appearance of an additional protein or proteins was detected in a particular electrophoretic zone from the saliva collected during late pregnancy, shortly after term, and 4-6 weeks postpartum. The amount of this yet unidentified protein or proteins is greater in parotid saliva collected 4-6 weeks postpartum than obtained either immediately pre- or postpartum.