Changes in Maternal Levels of LipidPeroxidation during Delivery and the Puerperium

Overview

Objective:
To determine the activity of reactive oxygen species (ROS) during labour by characterizing changes in maternal serum levels of lipid peroxidation end-products – MDA and lipofuscin during labour and the early post-partum period. We also tried to evaluate the relationshipbetween levels of lipid peroxides and some clinical characteristics of labour. Conclusion: Based on our findings we can suggest an increased activity of ROS during labourwhich is exhibited by increased generation of lipoperoxides. Lipid peroxidation in healthy pregnant women during labour is under a constant control of the antioxidant system.Design: Prospective study.Setting: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology LFUK, Bratislava; Department of clinicallaboratories, Ministry of defence SR, Bratislava.Methods: Blood samples were obtained from 66 pregnant women with uncomplicated pregnancyat the end of labour and during the early postartum period. The control group consisted of 19pregnant women delivering by primary Caesarian section. Blood samples were examined for MDAand lipofuscin by HPLC method. We used paired and unpaired Student’s t-test to statisticallyevaluate our results.Results: MDA and lipofuscin levels in pregnant women delivering spontaneously compared tothose delivering by C-section were significantly elevated (P < 0.05). MDA and lipofuscin levels inpregnant women during spontaneous labour or during by C-section compared to the levels inearly post-partum period were not significantly increased. We have not found any correlationbetween the length of the labour and lipoperoxides concentration.

Key words:
labour, reactive oxygen species, lipid peroxidation, oxidative stress