Open AccessNorepinephrine, adrenocorticotropin, cortisol and beta‐endorphin in women suffering from fear of labor: responses to the cold pressor test during and after pregnancy
Author(s) -
Saisto Terhi,
Kaaja Risto,
Helske Satu,
Ylikorkala Olavi,
Halmesmäki Erja
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
acta obstetricia et gynecologica scandinavica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.401
H-Index - 102
eISSN - 1600-0412
pISSN - 0001-6349
DOI - 10.1111/j.1600-0412.2004.00300.x
Subject(s) - beta endorphin , medicine , norepinephrine , cold pressor test , endocrinology , pregnancy , endorphins , epinephrine , dopamine , blood pressure , heart rate , biology , genetics
Background. Women suffering from fear of labor have reduced pain tolerance during a cold pressor test (CPT) during and after pregnancy. Methods. We compared levels of norepinephrine, adrenocorticotropin (ACTH), cortisol and beta‐endorphin before and during the CPT up to 60 min in 20 normotensive women with and 20 without fear of labor at 37.4 ± 0.2 (mean ± SE) gestational weeks and at 41.9 ± 1.6 weeks after delivery. Results. Baseline levels of norepinephrine in the pregnant fear group (1.63 ± 0.18 nmol/L) were higher ( p = 0.068) than in controls (1.38 ± 0.14 nmol/L) but after delivery they were lower in the fear group (1.75 ± 0.31 nmol/L vs. 2.31 ± 0.26 nmol/L, p = 0.064). ACTH, cortisol and beta‐endorphin did not differ between pregnant and nonpregnant groups. The CPT caused a 28.4% smaller response in norepinephrine in the pregnant fearful women than in controls, whereas the responses of ACTH and beta‐endorphin were similar between groups during and after pregnancy. The CPT caused no significant response in cortisol. Pregnant fearful women had higher diastolic blood pressure (85.6 ± 4.5 mmHg, mean ± SE) than the controls (74.9 ± 3.4 mmHg, p = 0.065). Conclusions. Women with fear of labor were characterized by changes in norepinephrine but not in ACTH, cortisol or beta‐endorphin before and during the CPT, indicating a normal pituitary–adrenal axis function.