A simple methodology for the spectrophotometric assay of phosphonate esterase activity in human serum samples is described, featuring incubation at 30 degrees C in a medium containing p-nitrophenol and phenyl-phosphonic acid ester. Reproducibility of the method as well a mean values in normal patients vs age and sex are reported. Serum activity appears to be increased almost exclusively during pregnancy or administration of estrogenic drugs (as oral contraceptives or in prostate neoplasms).