UDP-glucuronyltransferase activities towards eight substrates were assayed in samples of foetal, term and adult human liver. Activities towards bilirubin, androsterone, testosterone, 1-naphthol, 4-nitrophenol and 2-aminophenol were present in foetal and term liver samples at less than 14% of adult values, whereas activity towards 5-hydroxytryptamine was present in foetal and term liver at 109 and 121% of adult values respectively. Thus a 'foetal' form of UDP-glucuronyltransferase may exist in human liver that is more restricted in substrate specificity than are those of the rat or rhesus monkey.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Leakey et al. (1987) studied this question.