title: Maternal and fetal beta-endorphin release in response to the stress of labor and delivery.
abstract: In order to clarify the stress effect of labor on maternal and neonatal plasma levels of beta-endorphin, we measured this peptide in samples taken from 40 pregnant patients and their neonates at the time of normal vaginal delivery (n = 15), and at cesarean section performed either in early labor (n = 13) or prior to labor (n = 12). The mean (+/- SE) maternal plasma concentration of beta-endorphin in the vaginal delivery group was 40.3 +/- 5.6 fmol/ml, which was significantly higher than that in their neonates (21.3 +/- 2.9 fmol/ml). In contrast, maternal levels of beta-endorphin in the cesarean section groups (8.2 +/- 1.2 and 8.5 +/- fmol/ml) were significantly lower than those in their neonates (23.3 +/- 5.6 and 15.6 +/- 2.8 fmol/ml). Concentrations of beta-endorphin in mothers delivered vaginally were also significantly higher than those in mothers delivered by cesarean section. However, there was no difference in mean cord levels of beta-endorphin among the three groups. These findings indicate that neither the presence or absence of labor affects fetal plasma beta-endorphin secretion and the stress of labor and delivery produces a marked increase in maternal release of beta-endorphin.
authors.forename: G D
authors.initials: GD
authors.lastname: Kofinas
authors.forename: A D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Kofinas
authors.forename: F M
authors.initials: FM
authors.lastname: Tavakoli
mesh_terms: D002585:Cesarean Section; D036861:Delivery, Obstetric; D004723:Endorphins / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D005333:Fetus / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007743:Labor, Obstetric; D009321:Natural Childbirth; D011247:Pregnancy; D013312:Stress, Physiological / Q000097:blood*; D001615:beta-Endorphin
chemical_list: D004723:Endorphins; D001615:beta-Endorphin