High concentrations of [formula omitted] in fetal sheep csf and plasma

Abstract

1. 1. α 1- Anti- trypsin has been separated from sheep serum using column chromatography and a specific anti-serum was raised in New Zealand White Rabbits. 2. 2. Samples of csf and plasma were obtained from fetuses of Clun Forest ewes in the gestational age range 28–125 days (term is about 150 days). The purified α 1- anti- trypsin and its anti-serum were used to estimate the concentration of α 1- anti- trypsin was high in fetal plasma at all ages, compared with the adult, being highest in the earliest stages of development. 3. 4. α 1- anti- trypsin was also present in large concentrations in fetal csf, especially in the youngest fetuses in which the concentration was (380 mg/100 ml), compared with about (500 mg /100 ml) in the plasma. During gestation the csf concentration fell steeply but was still four times the adult level (3 mg /100 ml) just before term. 4. 5. The anti-proteolytic activity of α 1- anti- trypsin was found to be similar at all ages. 5. 6. It is suggested that the function of these high concentrations of α 1- anti- trypsin may be related to the considerable cell turnover which occurs in developing tissues, perhaps by giving some protection against the effect of proteases released from disintegrating cells.