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 relationship between levels of lipid peroxides and some clinical characteristics of labour.DESIGN: Prospective study.SETTING: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology LFUK, Bratislava; Department of clinical laboratories, Ministry of defense SR, Bratislava.METHODS: Blood samples were obtained from 66 pregnant women with uncomplicated pregnancy at the end of labour and during the early post-partum period. The control group consisted of 19 pregnant women delivering by primary Cesarean section. Blood samples were examined for MDA and lipofuscin by HPLC method. We used paired and unpaired Student's t-test to statistically evaluate our results.RESULTS: MDA and lipofuscin levels in pregnant women delivering spontaneously compared to those delivering by C-section were significantly elevated (P < 0.05). MDA and lipofuscin levels in pregnant women during spontaneous labour or during by C-section compared to the levels in early post-partum period were not significantly increased. We have not found any correlation between the length of the labour and lipoperoxides concentration.
Adolescent Adult