title: Lack of beta-endorphin plasma level rise in oxytocin-induced labor.
abstract: beta-Endorphin (beta-EP), beta-lipotropin (beta-LPH) and cortisol plasma levels were measured during labor in 18 pregnant women. In 7 cases labor progressed spontaneously and in 11 cases oxytocin (5 mIU/min) was administered to stimulate uterine contractions. In control and oxytocin-treated subjects hourly blood samples were taken until delivery. In spontaneous labor all three hormones showed a progressive and significant increase until parturition. In oxytocin-treated patients, however, both beta-EP and beta-LPH remained constant until parturition. Cortisol levels in oxytocin-treated patients presented a significant increase but reached values significantly lower than in control patients. These results indicate that women with uterine hypocontractility during labor requiring oxytocin showed no rise in their plasma beta-EP and beta-LPH and a blunted cortisol rise during oxytocin administration.
authors.forename: A R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Genazzani
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Petraglia
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Facchinetti
authors.forename: P A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Galli
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Volpe
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004723:Endorphins / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood; D007751:Labor, Induced; D007743:Labor, Obstetric; D010121:Oxytocin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D012965:Sodium Chloride / Q000494:pharmacology; D013997:Time Factors; D014590:Uterine Contraction / Q000187:drug effects; D001615:beta-Endorphin; D008083:beta-Lipotropin / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D004723:Endorphins; D012965:Sodium Chloride; D010121:Oxytocin; D001615:beta-Endorphin; D008083:beta-Lipotropin; D006854:Hydrocortisone