title: Plasma vasoactive intestinal polypeptide, insulin, gastric inhibitory polypeptide, and blood glucose in late pregnancy and during and after delivery.
abstract: The plasma levels of the gastrointestinal regulatory peptides vasoactive intestinal polypeptide, insulin, and gastric inhibitory polypeptide, as well as blood glucose, were measured in six healthy women before, during, and after normal parturition at term. Plasma levels of vasoactive intestinal polypeptide increased significantly (p less than 0.05) during delivery and remained significantly elevated for 15 minutes post partum. Plasma insulin levels rose significantly (p less than 0.05) within 5 minutes after delivery and stayed three-fold and significantly elevated for 120 minutes post partum. Plasma levels of gastric inhibitory polypeptide decreased significantly (p less than 0.05) between 5 and 30 minutes after delivery. Blood glucose levels were significantly (p less than 0.05) increased during labor, delivery, and the early postpartum period compared to late pregnancy. These findings suggest a mediating role for vasoactive intestinal polypeptide, insulin, and gastric inhibitory polypeptide in the physiologic adaptations to normal pregnancy, delivery, and the postpartum period.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D005749:Gastric Inhibitory Polypeptide / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D007328:Insulin / Q000097:blood*; D007747:Labor Stage, First; D007748:Labor Stage, Second; D007749:Labor Stage, Third; D007743:Labor, Obstetric; D049590:Postpartum Period; D011247:Pregnancy; D011263:Pregnancy Trimester, Third; D014590:Uterine Contraction; D014660:Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose; D007328:Insulin; D014660:Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide; D005749:Gastric Inhibitory Polypeptide