Abstract
A histochemical and biochemical analysis of the distribution of carbonic anhydrase in the rat's placenta was carried out between the 12th and the 21st day of pregnancy. By this way the highest enzymic activity was found in the labyrinthine part of the placenta. The activity is not due to the presence of erythrocytes but originates from the placental tissue itself. It is suggested that carbonic anhydrase of the tissue, when in contact with fetal blood, enhances the CO2-transport to the maternal side of the placenta by catalyzing the reaction H2CO3 → CO2 + + H2O. This effect may be especially significant in pregnancy since carbonic anhydrase activity of fetal erythrocytes is much lower than it is in red blood cells of adult animals. However other possible functions of carbonic anhydrase in the placenta have to be considered as well.
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