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Placental polymorphisms in southern Brazil and their relationship to race and mother-child interactions

Rosilda S. Silva^I; Francisco M. Salzano^II

^IDepartamento de Biologia Geral, Centro de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Cidade Universitária, 50732 Recife, PE, Brasil
^IIDepartamento de Genética, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Caixa Postal 1953, 90001 Porto Alegre, RS, Brasil. Send correspondence to F.M.S.

ABSTRACT

A total of 440 placentas were studied for alkaline phosphatase (PL), soluble (ACONS) and mitochondrial (ACONM) aconitase and acid alpha-glucosidase (alpha-GLUA) systems. In addition, the mothers' plasmas were examined for placental alkaline phosphatase levels. Nineteen (two apparently undescribed) phenotypes were observed in the PL system, 94% corresponding to combinations between the three common PL^*1, PL^*2 and PL*3 alleles. ACONM showed no variability, while in the ACONS and alpha-GLUA systems 96% of the individuals were respectively ACONSIVACONS*¹ and alphaGLUA*1/alpha-GLUA*1. PL and ACONS distributions vary with race, PL ^*1 andACONS^*4 being good markers of African ancestry. On the other hand, variability in PL, ACONS and alpha-GLUA showed no association with birth and placental weight, orApgar indices. PL phenotype prevalences also did not differ in ABO or Rh compatible and incompatible matings. Equally negative results were obtained for the relationships between maternal placental alkaline phosphatase levels and PL phenotypes, and between the former and the perinatal factors indicated above.

Keywords: Placental polymorphisms; Brazil; Race; Mother-child interactions.

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