The Effect of Age on the Paraoxonase and Arylesterase Activity of Pregnant Mothers and Their Infants

Abstract

Aim The study aimed to research the effect of maternal age at pregnancy on the paraoxonase (PON) and arylesterase activity levels of mothers and infants. Method The study comprised 30 mothers aged more than 35 years and their infants, and 30 mothers aged under 25 years and their infants. All pregnancies had been of 3842 weeks with normal spontaneous vaginal birth. PON and arylesterase activities were measured using paraoxon and phenylacetate substrates. Results When the PON and arylesterase enzyme activities were compared, the PON and arylesterase activity of the mothers aged more than 35 years was found to be statistically significantly lower compared to that of the mothers aged under 25 years (P = 0.006 and P = 0.03, respectively), while there was no statistically significant difference in PON and arylesterase enzyme activity between the two groups of infants (P > 0.05). Conclusion While the PON and arylesterase enzyme activity of the mothers aged more than 35 years was found to be significantly lower compared to that of the mothers aged under 25 years, there was no statistical significance between the infants. This can be explained by the reduced PON and arylesterase enzyme activity during pregnancies at an older age, although this did not affect the PON and arylesterase enzyme activity of the infants. J. Clin. Lab. Anal. 26:302-306, 2012. (c) 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.