title: Pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) in fetal cord blood.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating peptide (PACAP) is a centrally-acting peptide with highest concentration within the limbic area of the brain. PACAP is also expressed in and affects the functions of vascular and nervous tissues, endocrine glands, and the placenta. PACAP appears to be associated with the 'fight-or-flight' response to emergency partly through its effect on adrenal production of cortisol and catecholamines.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  We sought to explore the impact of labor as a stressor on the level of PACAP in the fetus, and hypothesized that PACAP levels would be increased when labor, abnormal fetal heart tracing, or fetal growth impairment was evident.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fetal cord venous blood samples were collected immediately after delivery from a random group of women undergoing either vaginal or Cesarean delivery. The blood was placed in chilled EDTA-aprotinin containing tubes, centrifuged, and stored at -80°C for PACAP immunoassay. Delivery data were abstracted for analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The level of PACAP in cord blood was similar in both males and females. There was a trend toward higher levels in the cord blood of fetuses delivered by Cesarean compared to those delivered vaginally. PACAP levels were unrelated to birth weight, Apgar scores, and the presence or absence of labor prior to delivery.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  While PACAP and its receptor are expressed in placenta, and PACAP protein is found in cord blood, no effect of labor stress on PACAP was found. Further research is needed to understand the role of PACAP in gestation and parturition.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, University of Louisville, United States. Electronic address: sjwint01@louisville.edu.
authors.forename: Stephen J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Winters
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Women's Health, University of Louisville, United States.
authors.forename: Jeffrey C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: King
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Women's Health, University of Louisville, United States.
authors.forename: Carol K
authors.initials: CK
authors.lastname: Brees
authors.affiliation: Department ofAnatomy and Neurobiology, University of Louisville, United States.
authors.forename: Joseph P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Moore
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D005312:Fetal Blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D051219:Pituitary Adenylate Cyclase-Activating Polypeptide / Q000097:blood*; D011863:Radioimmunoassay
chemical_list: D051219:Pituitary Adenylate Cyclase-Activating Polypeptide
keywords: Cord blood; PACAP; Stress