Blood glutathione peroxidase and selenium in abortion.

This study was carried out to estimate the levels of glutathione peroxidase and selenium in blood of abortion cases. Glutathione peroxidase and selenium were determined in 52 abortion cases (22 in 1(st) trimester, 30 in second trimester), 45 normal pregnant cases and 25 nonpregnant control cases. The selenium concentration in whole blood and plasma in abortion cases was almost the same as in normal pregnant women but significantly low when compared with the control non-pregnant group. The glutathione levels was higher in abortion cases when compared with normal pregnant and non-pregnant control groups. Red cell and plasma glutathione peroxidase activities of women who had abortion were significantly lower compared with both non-pregnant control group and normal pregnancies.