Response to delivery stress is not mediated by beta-endorphin (1–31)

Harbach, Heinz; Antrecht, Kerstin; Boedeker, Rolf-Hasso; Hempelmann, Gunter; Markart, Philipp; Matejec, Reginald; Muehling, Joerg; Welters, Ingeborg; Zygmunt, Marek

doi:10.1016/j.ejogrb.2007.02.004

« Previous Next »European Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Reproductive Biology
Volume 136, Issue 1 , Pages 39-45, January 2008

Response to delivery stress is not mediated by beta-endorphin (1–31)

Heinz Harbach
- University of Giessen, Department of Anaesthesiology, Intensive Care, Pain Therapy, Rudolf-Buchheim-Str. 7, D-35385 Giessen, Germany
- Corresponding author. Tel.: +49 641 9944401; fax: +49 641 9944409.
Kerstin Antrecht
- University of Giessen, Centre of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Klinikstr. 32, D-35392 Giessen, Germany
Rolf-Hasso Boedeker
- University of Giessen, Institute of Medical Statistics and Informatics, Heinrich-Buff-Ring 44, D-35392 Giessen, Germany
Gunter Hempelmann
- University of Giessen, Department of Anaesthesiology, Intensive Care, Pain Therapy, Rudolf-Buchheim-Str. 7, D-35385 Giessen, Germany
Philipp Markart
- University of Giessen, Department of Internal Medicine, Medical Clinic II, Klinikstr. 36, D-35392 Giessen, Germany
Reginald Matejec
- University of Giessen, Department of Anaesthesiology, Intensive Care, Pain Therapy, Rudolf-Buchheim-Str. 7, D-35385 Giessen, Germany
Joerg Muehling
- University of Giessen, Department of Anaesthesiology, Intensive Care, Pain Therapy, Rudolf-Buchheim-Str. 7, D-35385 Giessen, Germany
Ingeborg Welters
- University Department of Anaesthesia, School of Clinical Science, Daulby Str., L69 3 GA Liverpool, UK
Marek Zygmunt
- University of Giessen, Centre of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Klinikstr. 32, D-35392 Giessen, Germany

Received 21 June 2006; received in revised form 31 December 2006; accepted 12 February 2007. published online 12 March 2007.

Abstract

Objective

The aim of the study was to determine the reaction of the melanotroph and corticotroph-type pituitary proopiomelanocortin (POMC) response to vaginal delivery and caesarean section stress. Furthermore, the relationship between the release of pituitary POMC fragments, gonadotropins and sexual steroids were examined.

Study design

Blood samples were obtained from 10 women in labour on arrival in the birth room (t_A), at cervix dilatation of 5cm (t_B) and immediately after spontaneous delivery (t_C) and in 16 patients undergoing elective caesarean section before induction of anaesthesia (t_B) and immediately after delivery (t_C). Samples were analysed for cortisol, ACTH, authentic β-endorphin, β-endorphin immunoreactive material (IRM), acetyl-N-β-endorphin IRM (NAC), β-lipotropin (β-LPH) IRM, oestradiol (E₂), progesterone (P), prolactin (PRL), FSH and LH.

Results

NAC representing the melanotroph-type pituitary POMC system did not increase during the course of caesarean section or spontaneous labour. In contrast, a significant increase of β-endorphin IRM, β-LPH IRM and ACTH were observed, representing an activation of the corticotroph-type POMC system. Highly significant correlations between POMC fragment concentrations during caesarean section and spontaneous labour were also observed. Sexual steroids (E₂ and P) decreased significantly. Except for β-endorphin IRM and E₂ in course of spontaneous delivery no significant correlation was observed between POMC fragment and gonadotropins or sexual steroids.