Oxytocin in the fetal and maternal circulations during induced and spontaneous parturition in sheep.
Oxytocin has been measured in fetal and maternal plasma samples obtained serially from 6 sheep during late pregnancy, spontaneous labor and labor induced by intrafetal infusion of Synacthen (ACTH1-24). Fetal plasma contained significantly (P less than 0.001) greater concentrations of oxytocin than maternal plasma. Concentrations of oxytocin rose in maternal plasma during the later stages of spontaneous and induced labor, whereas concentrations in fetal plasma did not exhibit a consistent trend.
D000818:Animals; D003366:Cosyntropin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005260:Female; D007751:Labor, Induced; D007743:Labor, Obstetric / Q000187:drug effects; D008431:Maternal-Fetal Exchange / Q000187:drug effects; D010121:Oxytocin / Q000097:blood*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011863:Radioimmunoassay; D012756:Sheep
D003366:Cosyntropin; D010121:Oxytocin