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We determined plasma human atrial natriuretic peptide (hANP) levels in normal pregnancy and pregnancy induced hypertension (PIH). The plasma hANP levels slightly decreased in the first trimester of normal pregnancy and tended to recover as pregnancy advanced, although these changes were slight. However, the plasma hANP level in puerperium was higher than that in the third trimester of normal pregnancy. The plasma hANP level in mild PIH was not significantly higher than that in the third trimester of normal pregnancy. In contrast, the plasma hANP level in three cases of severe PIH was approximately 200% higher than those in the normal third trimester and mild PIH.

Previously, we pointed out the importance of the kynurenine metabolism in fetuses and neonates. We examined localization and developmental change of indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase activity in human placenta. The indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase was found localized in syncytiotrophoblast in the placenta. The indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase activity was not detected in placenta in the early stage of gestation. It was first detected at around 14 weeks of gestation, increased rapidly thereafter and was maintained at high levels till near term. The indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase activity was significantly lower in placenta with retarded intrauterine development. These results suggest the importance of placental indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase during fetal development.</P>

Concentrations of tryptophan (free and protein bound) and its metabolites in plasma of maternal vein at delivery, umbilical vein, umbilical artery, neonatal vein and breast milk were determined by high performance liquid chromatography. The plasma levels of tryptophan and most of its metabolites in umbilical vein and artery were significantly higher than those in maternal vein. The concentration of total tryptophan in plasma of neonatal vein showed marked decrease at 24 h after birth in comparison with that at birth, but the total kynurenine concentration was not decreased in plasma of neonatal vein. The colostrum contained a high level of total tryptophan. There were high ratios of free to total tryptophan in colostrum, transitional and mature milk. In the blood, ratios of free to total of tryptophan and kynurenine were kept at constant level throughout the perinatal period.

Attempts were made to identify menstrual blood by means of paper electrophoresis with preparation of extracts of menstrual blood isolated under various conditions and mixed with human fibrin. Also similar analyses were conducted with blood aspirated from the median cubital vein of a woman during menstruation as well as from a man as the control, also with extracts of lochial blood from a woman after normal delivery, and of the blood obtained at arrtificial abortion. Animal fibrins (from rabbit, mouse, steer, and guinea pig) were also used to see the lytic action of the bloods. The following are the results of the present experiments. 1. The identification of menstrual blood by means of paper electrophoresis is a simple method in legal medicine and its electrophorogram is an excellent method to offer an evidence of proof for mentrual blood. 2. By this method it is possible to identify the menstrual bloodstain even after the lapse of time as much as 6 months. 3. It is possible to identify even putrefied menstrual bloodstain. 4. In the case where the material stained with menstrual blood is found in water, it is not possible to identify the menstrual blood by this method. 5. When the menstrual blood is heated at 60°C over 30 minutes, it becomes impossible to identify it by this method. 6. In the case of venous blood during menstruation fibrinolytic product can be detected only on the first day of menstruation, but since it appears only in trace, it is easy to differentiate it from menstrual blood. 7. As for lochial blood the fibrinolytic product can be detected only in the blood obtained on the first and second days of puerperium, but the amount being so slight that it can readily be distinguished from menstrual blood. 8. In the case of the blood obtained at artificial abortion fibrinolytic product appears just as much as in the case of menstrual blood, and thus it is impossible to differentiate it from mentrual blood by this method. 9. As for the use of human fibrin it is best to employ it while it isdresh, but the human fibrin up to 6 days old can be used. However, the older is the human fibrin the lesser the fibrinolytic product detectable. 10. In the case using animal fibrins mixed with the extract of menstrual blood some do produce fibrinolytic product in trace, but since there is a danger of also producing the fibrinolytic product-like substance in venous blood, it is advisable not to use animal fibrins.

Experiment on the animals proved that in the case of the death by drowning planktons always immigrate into the bone marrow and some kinds of them can be detected in the bone marrow even after a long period of time, suggesting that the detection of these planktons in the bone marrow of the dead person will give the important clue for the determination of the cause of death by drowning. Actually applying this method in a decayed corpse, we could successfully show the cause of death is due to drowning in which the cause of death was long argued in the court.