Abstract
On investigating the aerobic and anerobic glycolysis by Warburg's method, the author could clarify a part of the functions of human placental chorion.
1. The glycolytic activity of normal human chorion or placent is high in the early stage of pregnancy and it decreases following the advance in pregnancy. Those exceeded the day of anticipated delivery show still lower glycolytic activity.
2. The placenta of atonic labor generally shows a glycolytic activity higher than the placenta of natural delivery at the corresponding period.
3. The chorion or the placenta of miscarriage generally shows a value lower than that of the chorion or the placenta of normal parturition of the corresponding period, and the rate of decrease is greater in the earlier stage of pregnancy. This difference, however, becomes smaller from the middle stage of pregnancy. Cases with severer symptoms of miscarriage show stronger decrease in the glycolytic activity.
4. The glycolytic activity of the still-birth placenta is extremely low.
5. The glycolytic activity of the placenta of pregnancy toxemia is lower than that of the normal placenta at the corresponding period.
6. The glycolytic activity of normal pregnancy chorion is little influenced by estrogen of lower concentrations, but it is inhibited when the concentration is high.
7. The glycolytic activity of miscarriage chorion is not activated by estrogen and, instead, it is disturbed when the concentration is high. Progesterone too, though it enhances the lowered glycolytic activity at lower concentrations, it also inhibits at higher concentrations.
