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Fetomaternal opioid levels and parturition.

F Facchinetti, F Bagnoli, F Petraglia

Obstetrics and Gynecology

|December 1, 1983

Summary

Plasma levels of beta-lipotropin and beta-endorphin increase during labor, peaking post-delivery. Neonatal beta-endorphin levels are higher than maternal levels, similar to vaginal birth infants.

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Area of Science:

Obstetrics and Gynecology
Endocrinology
Perinatal Medicine

Background:

Opioid peptides, beta-lipotropin and beta-endorphin, play roles in pain modulation and stress responses.
Labor and delivery represent significant physiological stressors with potential impacts on maternal and neonatal neuroendocrine systems.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the dynamic changes in plasma beta-lipotropin and beta-endorphin levels during spontaneous labor, elective cesarean section, and emergency cesarean section.
To compare maternal and neonatal opioid peptide levels across different parturition scenarios.

Main Methods:

Radioimmunoassay (RIA) was used to quantify plasma beta-lipotropin and beta-endorphin.
Plasma samples were collected from women at term, during spontaneous labor, elective cesarean section, emergency cesarean section, and from umbilical cords.

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Silicic acid extraction and gel filtration were employed for sample preparation.

Main Results:

Plasma beta-lipotropin and beta-endorphin concentrations progressively increased throughout spontaneous labor, reaching maximal levels post-delivery.
Cesarean sections without labor showed significantly lower opioid levels compared to spontaneous vaginal delivery.
Neonatal beta-endorphin levels were higher than maternal levels and comparable to those in vaginally born infants.

Conclusions:

Spontaneous labor is associated with a significant increase in maternal beta-lipotropin and beta-endorphin.
Cesarean section, particularly without labor, results in lower opioid peptide levels.
Neonatal beta-endorphin levels are elevated compared to maternal levels, suggesting active fetal involvement or transfer.