Abstract
Summary
1. The glutamic-aspartic transaminase activity of whole blood from normal pregnant subjects is essentially the same as in non-pregnant subjects. Activity is significantly increased by supplementing the diet with 10 mg of pyridoxine daily. Transaminase activity of fetal blood is twice as great as in maternal blood in mothers not receiving additional vit. B6. The transaminase activity of placental tissue is not altered by prior administration of pyridoxine for several weeks. 2. The results suggest that fetal tissues contain optimal quantities of B6 whereas adults, both pregnant and non-pregnant, contain sub-optimal concentrations for peak enzymatic activity. The method employed is not sufficiently sensitive to demonstrate a reduced “reserve” of B6 in normal gestation, but the data are compatible with the view that pyridoxine supplementation is desirable in human pregnancy.
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