title: The role of beta-endorphin in pregnancy and delivery.
abstract: This paper deals with beta-endorphin determination in 20 autopsy specimens of human fetal and neonatal pancreas, as well as in the placental tissue specimens of the same fetoplacental units, by means of radioimmunoassay (RIA-Nichols Institute). Peripheral blood samples of 10 healthy non-gravids were taken as controls. Our results present a marked increase of beta-endorphin levels with the progression of gestation, reaching a peak of 3960 pg/g at term. The data obtained indicate that beta-endorphin plays an important role in pregnancy and delivery regulation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology School of Medicine, Belgrade, Yugoslovia.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Terzić
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Sulovic
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Stimec
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Plećas
authors.forename: L J
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Vojdović
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D005333:Fetus / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D010179:Pancreas / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000196:embryology; D011247:Pregnancy / Q000502:physiology*; D011863:Radioimmunoassay; D001615:beta-Endorphin / Q000032:analysis* / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D001615:beta-Endorphin