title: Elevated serum melatonin levels during human late pregnancy and labour.
abstract: Melatonin (MLT) shows an influence on gonadal steroid genesis, and has soporific effects. Serum MLT levels were examined during late pregnancy and 4 days after delivery in 25 women. Circulating levels of melatonin were analysed as integrated values (areas under the curve [AUC]) over 24 hours, 5 to 2 days before and 4 days after delivery. Antepartum AUCs were significantly increased compared with postpartum AUCs. Additionally, MLT levels were measured every 2 hours in a subgroup of 11 women during spontaneous labour between 08.00 and 12.00 h at a time when physiological serum MLT levels were low. Increased MLT levels were determined and compared to MLT levels measured in a previous evaluation of the antepartum AUCs. Elevated serum MLT levels during late-pregnancy and labour may influence the concentration of receptors of gonadal steroids in the gravid uterus at term and the psychic perception of painful uterine contractions during labour.
authors.affiliation: Rudolfstiftung Hospital, Vienna, Austria.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Wierrani
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Grin
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Hlawka
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kroiss
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Grünberger