Abstract
Studies were performed to examine a erythropoietin activity during pregnancy and perinatal period. One hundred seventy five specimens of sera were obtained from the pregnant women of different lunar month and umbilical cord of neonates. Bioassay methods utilizing starved rats and polycythemic mice were employed for this study.
A low or slightly increased erythropoietin activity was yielded during the first half period of pregnancy as compared with those of non-pregnant adult female. However, increased erythropoietin activity was seen after fifth lunar month which elevated more rapidly at the seventh month lasting till full gestation.
A paired sera obtained from mothers during delivery and cord blood of neonates revealed more elevated erythropoietin activity in the mother than cord blood in most cases.
No relationship between hemoglobin concentration of peripheral blood and erythropoietin level was observed.
