Summary
Extracts from human term placentae were analyzed by pyrolysis gas chromatography (GC) combined with mass spectrometry. The only choline ester of carbonic acid whose presence could be unequivocally established was acetylcholine (ACh). The mass spectrum of its demethylated tertiary derivative dimethylaminoethyl acetate (nor-ACh) agreed entirely with that of authentic pyrolyzed ACh.
The concentrations of ACh were determined in placentae obtained after vaginal or Caesarean delivery to investigate, the claim that the latter resulted in tissue with higher concentrations of ACh-like activity presumably because ACh was not expended during labor and delivery. No differences in ACh content were found with GC analysis. The ACh concentrations were 102±17 (n=8) nmoles/g fresh tissue (vaginal delivery) vs. 105±16 (n=6) nmoles/g (Caesarean section). The fetal membranes (amnion and chorion) and the umbilical cord contained no ACh under the analytical conditions with a limit of sensitivity of 200 pmoles ACh.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Bischoff, C., Grab, W., Kampfhammer, J.: Azetylcholin im Warmblüter, 4. Mitteilung. Hoppe Seylers Z. Physiol. Chem. 207, 57–77 (1932)
Chang, H. C., Gaddum, J. H.: Cholinesters in tissue extracts. J. Physiol. (Lond.) 79, 255–285 (1933)
Chang, H. C., Wong, A.: Studies on tissue acetylcholine. I. Origin, significance and fate of acetylcholine in human placenta. Chin. J. Physiol. 7, 151–170 (1933)
Chang, H. C., Lim, K.: Studies on tissue acetylcholine. X. Relationship between placental acetylcholine and abortion. Chin. J. Physiol. 17, 39–46 (1942)
Dross, K., Kewitz, H.: Concentration and origin of choline in the rat brain. Naunyn-Schmiedeberg's Arch. Pharmacol. 274, 91–106 (1972)
Hammar, C.-G., Hanin, I., Holmstedt, B., Kitz, R. J., Jenden, D. J., Karlen, B.: Identification of acetylcholine in fresh rat brain by combined gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Nature 220, 915–917 (1968)
Hauptstein, P.: Das Azetylcholin in der menschlichen Placenta. Arch. Gynaekol. 151, 262–280 (1932)
Hebb, C. O., Ratkovic, D.: Choline acetylase in the placenta of man and other species. J. Physiol. (Lond.) 163, 307–313 (1962)
Heirman, P.: L'acetylcholine placentaire. Arch. Int. Physiol. 51, 85–96 (1941)
Holmstedt, B.: Pages from the history of research on cholinegic mechanisms. In: Cholinergic mechanisms (P. G. Waser, ed.), pp. 1–21. New York: Raven Press 1975
Jenden, D. J., Roch, M., Booth, R.: A new liquid phase for the gas chromatographic separation of amines and alkaloids. J. Chromatogr. Sci. 10, 151–153 (1972)
Johnston, G. A. R., Triffett, A. C. K., Wunderlich, J. A.: Identification and estimation of choline derivatives by mass spectrometry. Analyt. Chem. 40, 1837–1840 (1968)
Langman, J.: Development of the fetal membranes and placenta. In: Medical embryology, Third edition. Baltimore: Williams and Wilkins 1975
Rama Sastry, B. V., Olubadewo, J., Harbison, R. D., Schmidt, D. E.: Human placental, cholinergic system: Occurrence, distribution and variation with gestational age of acetylcholine in human placenta. Biochem. Pharmacol. 25, 425–431 (1976)
Rama Sastry, B. V., Sadavongvivad, C.: Cholinergic systems in nonnervous tissues. Pharmacol. Rev. 30, 65–132 (1979)
Sala, N., Fisch, L.: Effect of acetylcholine and atropine on uterine contractility in pregnant women. Am. J. Obstet. Gynecol. 91, 1069–1075 (1965)
Stavinoha, W. B., Weintraub S. T.: Estimation of choline and acetylcholine in tissue by pyrolysis gas chromatography. Anal. Chem. 46, 757–760 (1974)
Szilagyi, P. I. A., Schmidt, D. E., Green, J. P.: Microanalytical determination of acetylcholine, other choline esters and choline by pyrolysis gas chromatography. Anal. Chem. 40, 2009–2013 (1968)
Toru, M., Aprison, M. H.: Brain acetylcholine studies: A new extraction procedure. J. Neurochem. 13, 1533–1544 (1966)
Welsch, F.: Studies on accumulation and metabolic fate of [N-Me3H]choline in human term placenta fragments. Biochem. Pharmacol. 25, 1021–1030 (1976)
Welsch, F.: The cholinergic system in tissues without innervation. Choline acetyltransferase, choline and acetylcholine in the placenta of the Rhesus monkey (Macaca mulatta). Biochem. Pharmacol. 26, 1281–1287 (1977)
Welsch, F.: Choline metabolism in human term placenta — studies on de novo synthesis and the effects of some drugs on the metabolic fate of [N-methyl-3H]choline. Biochem. Pharmacol. 27, 1251–1257 (1978)
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Welsch, F., Wenger, W.C. Acetylcholine in human placenta. Naunyn-Schmiedeberg's Arch. Pharmacol. 311, 113–118 (1980). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00510249
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00510249