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Unit Code 9287:
Acetylcholinesterase, Amniotic Fluid (AChE-AF), Amniotic Fluid

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Method Description

AChE and PChE catalyze the deesterification of acetylthiocholine iodide

to form a white copper thiocholine precipitate. The white precipitate

is acted upon by dithiooxamide to provide a dark-green color.  If 1,5

bis (4-allyldimethylammoniumphenyl) pentane-3-one dibromide

(BW284C51) is present, it will inhibit the action of AChE on

acetylthiocholine iodide but will not inhibit the activity of PChE.

AChE and PChE are separated by polyacrylamide gel

electrophoresis and then reacted with the inhibitor and substrate

while remaining in the gel. (Barlow RD, Cuckle HS, Wald NJ:  A

simple method for amniotic fluid gel-acetylcholinesterase determination,

suitable for routine use in the antenatal diagnosis of open neural

tube defects.  Clin Chim Acta 1982;119:137-142)

Performing Laboratory Location

Rochester

Key