Enzymatic histochemistry of the human umbilical vessels
Sala, M.A.; Matheus, M.
Zeitschrift für Mikroskopisch-Anatomische Forschung 103(4): 567
1989
ISSN/ISBN: 0044-3107 PMID: 2554601 Document Number: 328204
The enzymatic activities of human umbilical vessels from normal term pregnancies were studied by histochemical methods. The results obtained suggest that oxidative phosphorylation is of little importance, whereas pentose cycle and anaerobic glycolysis are probably the most important sources of energy in the umbilical vessels. The presence of leucine aminopeptidase activity in the venous endothelium probably represents a defensive mechanism inactivating oxytocin.