Changes in acethylcholinesterase activity and total protein in the developing fetal brain.

Pre-natal changes in the physiological development of the porcine conceptus indexed by acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity and total protein content of the fetal brain and amniotic fluid were determined from 4 to 12 weeks of gestation at intervals of two weeks. Marked brain and body development was observed between four and six weeks of gestation. AChE activity in the amniotic fluid declined non-significantly with gestation length while fetal brain AChE activity increased with advancing gestation. Total protein levels in both the amniotic fluid and fetal brain were relatively steady and no significant changes were observed. Changes in AChE activity of the fetal brain may therefore be related to growth changes in the fetus.