Labor Augmentation with Oxytocin Decreases Glutathione Level

Objective . To compare oxidative stress following spontaneous vaginal delivery with that induced by Oxytocin augmented delivery. Methods . 98 women recruited prior to labor. 57 delivered spontaneously, while 41 received Oxytocin for augmentation of labor. Complicated deliveries and high-risk pregnancies were excluded. Informed consent was documented. Arterial cord blood gases, levels of Hematocrit, Hemoglobin, and Bilirubin were studied. Glutathione (GSH) concentration was measured by a spectroscopic method. Plasma and red blood cell (RBC) levels of Malondialdehyde indicated lipid peroxidation. RBC uptake of phenol red denoted cell penetrability. SPSS data analysis was used. Results . Cord blood GSH was significantly lower in the Oxytocin group (2.3 ± 0.55 mM versus 2.55 ± 0.55 mM, P = .01). No differences were found in plasma or RBC levels of MDA or in uptake of Phenol red between the groups. Conclusion . Lower GSH levels following Oxytocin augmentation indicate an oxidative stress, though selected measures of oxidative stress demonstrate no cell damage.