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Endogenous opioid peptides in pregnancy
Author(s) -
NEWNHAM J. P.,
TOMLIN SUSAN,
RATTER SALLY J.,
BOURNE G. L.,
REES LESLEY H.
Publication year - 1983
Publication title -
bjog: an international journal of obstetrics and gynaecology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.157
H-Index - 164
eISSN - 1471-0528
pISSN - 1470-0328
DOI - 10.1111/j.1471-0528.1983.tb08963.x
Subject(s) - endocrinology , gestation , enkephalin , medicine , opioid peptide , endogeny , endorphins , endogenous opioid , met enkephalin , pregnancy , opioid , beta endorphin , chemistry , secretion , fetus , neuropeptide , biology , receptor , genetics
Summary. Plasma levels of two endogenous opioid peptides, β‐endorphin and met‐enkephalin, as well as immunoreactive N‐terminal β‐lipotrophin (N‐LPH) were studied in normal pregnant women from 8 to 41 weeks gestation. A total of 116 samples were assayed for β‐endorphin‐like immunoreactivity (C‐LPH), 103 for N‐LPH and 75 for met‐enkephalin. Plasma β‐endorphin‐like immunoreactivity and N‐LPH levels rose progressively throughout gestation and reached a maximum at term. Plasma met‐enkephalin immunoreactivity did not significantly change throughout pregnancy. These results reflect an increasing and consistent adreno‐corticotrophin (ACTH)/β‐LPH and β‐endorphin secretion throughout pregnancy, while the unchanged met‐enkephalin levels are compatible with its known derivation from a separate precursor system.