STUDIES ON ANTIMALARIAL DRUGS

THE INFLUENCE OF PREGNANCY ON THE QUINONE OXIDASE OF RABBIT LIVER

¹ From the Department of Pharmacology, The University of Chicago

The ability of rabbit liver to oxidize quinine was studied in normal animals and in animals in various stages of pregnancy. In normal animals, the enzyme is present in rather constant amounts but becomes considerably reduced during late pregnancy and during the early post-partum period. This difference appears to be due to a reduction in the amount of enzyme present rather than to the presence of an inhibitory substance.

The enzyme can be demonstrated in young animals shortly after birth but is not found in amounts comparable to that of the normal adult until after the weaning period.