Enzymes: the most important markers of pregnancy development.

From ethical and moral reasons, the progress in neonatology and anesthesiology must not obscure the iatrogenic labors, which begin at the time improper for individual child, especially after induction and - because of that - very often instrumental. Enzymatic monitoring has enabled reduction of the number of preterm and instrumental deliveries, and--more importantly--the elimination of statistical (so-called post-datism) indications for terminating pregnancies instead of natural their individual occurrence in the entire range of physiological norm of human labors from 37 0/7 to 43 2/7 weeks. During pregnancy the mothers organism has to secure a proper environment for the growth and development of the child, which is accompanied by the constant increase in oxytocinase and isoxytocinase. These enzymes are closely connected even with the regulation of ovulation as well as with the embryo nidation and development of early pregnancy. Both enzymes are very important indicator of the threatened life and health of the fetus. It is important since these changes precede clinical symptoms by several weeks. On the other hand, they enable monitoring of the efficiency of ACTH depot therapy as well as pregnancy complicated by diabetes, hypertension and endocrinopathies. The values of prenatal oxytocinasaemia make possible prediction the date and course of delivery. Also, they are highly positively correlated with the weight, length and maturity of the newborn, as well as the size of the placenta. In multifetal pregnancies, levels of both enzymes are higher than in single ones.