VARIATION IN ACTIVITY OF MONOAMINE METABOLIZING ENZYMES IN RAT LIVER DURING PREGNANCY

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Abstract
1 Catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) and monoamine oxidase (MAO) activities in rat liver were measured during pregnancy, parturition and postpartum. Compared with activity in non-pregnant controls, both enzymes showed a significant decrease in activity which was most pronounced at day 18. 2 The metabolism of intravenously infused [3 H]-adrenaline to [3 H]-metanephrine and to [3 H]-acidic metabolites was also significantly depressed during pregnancy but had returned to control values by the 21st day. 3 The effects of reserpine and/or nialamide on hepatic COMT and MAO were studied in control and 20-day-pregnant rats. Their action on COMT activity differed in the two groups. MAO was inhibited to a similar extent in these groups whether the drugs were given separately or in combination. 4 It seems possible that the changes in endocrine function which occur during pregnancy are responsible for the observed alterations in enzyme activity.