Correlations between the detection of stress-associated hormone/oxidative stress markers in umbilical cord blood and the physical condition of the mother and neonate.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this study was to assess the correlations between the detection of stress-associated hormone/oxidative stress markers in umbilical cord blood (CB) and the physical condition of the mother and neonate.


METHODS
CB units collected from normal vaginal deliveries were analyzed for various biochemical markers, some stress-associated hormones, such as progesterone, cortisol, adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), corticotrophin releasing factor (CRF) and oxidative stress marker 8-hydroxy-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), respectively.


RESULTS
The progesterone concentration closely correlated with Apgar score, hemoglobin, maternal smoking and insulin concentration, respectively. In particular, its concentration in the non-smoker group and Apgar score 10 points group was significantly lower in comparison to the smoker group and Apgar score 8 points group, respectively. Cortisol concentration correlated significantly with the number of parities, pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI), and increase of neonatal weight and height per day, respectively. In particular, its concentration in deliveries of males and first babies was significantly higher in comparison to female deliveries and second babies, respectively. In addition, a significant correlation was observed between the duration between spontaneous/artificial membrane rupture time and delivery time and the ACTH concentration. However, no significant relationship was observed between maternal/neonatal factors and CRF concentration and 8-OHdG concentration, respectively. A significant negative correlation was observed between cortisol and 8-OHdG concentration.


CONCLUSIONS
CB stress-associated hormone/oxidative stress markers strongly reflect maternal and neonatal condition at the time of delivery.
Department of Radiological Life Sciences, Hirosaki University Graduate School of Health Sciences, Hirosaki, Japan.
Takako
T
Chiba
Atsuko
A
Omori
Kenji
K
Takahashi
Kanako
K
Tanaka
Kaori
K
Kudo
Mami
M
Manabe
Yasushi
Y
Mariya
Ikuo
I
Kashiwakura
D000080242:8-Hydroxy-2'-Deoxyguanosine; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone / Q000032:analysis / Q000097:blood*; D001034:Apgar Score; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D003346:Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000032:analysis / Q000097:blood*; D003849:Deoxyguanosine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000032:analysis / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D005312:Fetal Blood / Q000737:chemistry*; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000032:analysis / Q000097:blood*; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000502:physiology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011374:Progesterone / Q000032:analysis / Q000097:blood*
D015415:Biomarkers; D011374:Progesterone; D000080242:8-Hydroxy-2'-Deoxyguanosine; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone; D003346:Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone; D003849:Deoxyguanosine; D006854:Hydrocortisone