The objective was to investigate the effect two modes of labor (vaginal delivery and elective cesarean section) on thiobarbituric reactive substances (TBARS) as markers of lipid peroxidation, total antioxidant power (ferric reducing ability, TAP), and total thiol molecules (TTM) in blood of mothers and their newborns. One hundred and twenty women with normal pregnancy and normal blood biochemical parameters were divided into groups of vaginal delivery (VD) and elective cesarean surgery (ECS). Blood samples were obtained firstly in the time 37-40 weeks of pregnancy and secondly during labor phase for VD or during ECS. Blood samples from umbilical cord arterial of newborns were also obtained at birth after separation of cord. Plasma levels of TBARS, TAP, and TTM were determined. There was no significant differences between VD and ECS mothers before labor in plasma levels of TBARS, TTM, and TAP. Mothers in the VD group showed a significant increase in TBARS (p < 0.05) after delivery. And TTM level showed a significant increase in ECS group (p < 0.05) as compared to pre-delivery levels. Comparing oxidative stress variables between VD and ECS groups after labor, plasma levels of TBARS, and TTM significantly increased (p < 0.05) in VD mothers. TAP was not significantly different between VD and ECS groups. Newborn of VD mothers showed a significant increase in TBARS (p < 0.05), and TAP (p < 0.05) as compared to newborn of ECS. TTM was not significantly different between two groups of newborns. The results indicate that mothers in VD and their newborns are in more oxidative stress than those who underwent ECS for delivery. Linking oxidative stress to severe neonatal diseases, it may be reasonable to assess whether antioxidant supplementation during pregnancy may reduce the frequency of neonatal diseases.

Cytokines are the main factors involved in the normal functions of the placenta and delivery process. The aim of this project was to compare serum levels of interleukin-8 (IL-8), IL-6, tumour necrosis factor α (TNF-α) and transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) in term and prolonged-pregnancy mothers and their neonates. This study was performed on 240 participants including 60 term and prolonged-pregnancy neonates and their corresponding mothers. Serum levels of IL-8, IL-6, TNF-α and TGF-β were evaluated by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay technique. The results revealed that IL-8 serum levels were significantly lower in the prolonged-pregnancy mothers and their neonates when compared with term mothers and their neonates. Data analysis also revealed a negative correlation between TGF-β and age of prolonged-pregnancy mothers. A poor positive correlation between IL-6 and head circumference of term neonates was also observed. IL-8 may play crucial roles in the process of on-time delivery and age may significantly affect TGF-β production in prolonged-pregnancy mothers. Pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as IL-6, can also be considered as main factors involved in fetal growth.

BACKGROUND: The immune system significantly participates in the development of the successful delivery process. The roles played by cytokine molecules in the induction of term delivery are yet to be clarified. The aim of this project was to explore the serum levels of interleukin-10 (IL-10), IL-17A, and IL-23 in the mothers with term and prolonged pregnancy and their infants. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this study, 60 samples were collected from either mothers with term and prolonged pregnancy or their infants, collectively 240 samples. Serum levels of IL-10, IL-17A and IL-23 were explored using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) technique. RESULTS: IL-10 serum levels significantly decreased in the neonates with prolonged pregnancy when compared to their mothers. Serum levels of IL-23 were increased either in term or prolonged pregnancy neonates when compared to their corresponded mothers. Serum levels of IL-10 and IL-23 significantly decreased and increased, respectively, in the female in comparison to male in the prolonged pregnancy neonates. IL-10 also significantly decreased in the term mothers who had higher gravidity. CONCLUSION: Although, IL-17A does not play a key role in the delivery mechanism, IL-10 and IL-23 may be considered as potential factors in the modulation of term delivery.

Objective: To determine the possibilities of analysis of erythropoietin (EPO) in amniotic fluid as a parameter independent of gestational age and subjective interpretations upon making a distinction between IUGR and constitutionally small fetuses. Methods: Prospective clinical study was conducted on 38 pregnancies with fetuses small for gestational age. Small for gestational age fetuses (SGA) have been defined as both estimated fetal weight and neonatal body weight beyond 10 th percentile for our population. The study group was divided into two subgroups: constitutionally small fetuses, n = 16 (42.11%) and growth restricted fetuses, n = 22 (57.89%). The diagnosis of both, constitutionally small and growth restricted fetuses, were based upon standard criteria (fetal biometry as well as AFI and Doppler evaluation). Amniotic fluid samples were collected in all pregnancies in order to evaluate EPO levels, by amniocenthesis for determination of lung maturity, maximum 48 hours before delivery Results: EPO concentration was higher in growth restricted fetuses compared to constitutionally small fetuses showing high statistical significance (p < 0.01). ROC analysis for EPO values comparing growth restricted fetuses and constitutionally small fetuses has the best result at the level of 9.8 IU/L. This cut-off point has sensitivity of 81%, specificity of 80%, PPV 81.2% and NPV 88.4%. Neonates with EPO concentrations above 9.8 IU/l were more frequent admitted to the NICU and concentrations of EPO showed statistical significance (p < 0.05) comparing to those without admittance at NICU. Conclusions: There is a difference in amniotic fluid EPO concentrations between growth restricted and constitutionally small fetuses. Concerning the fact that EPO production is independent of gestational age, EPO concentrations may be used as a distinction between the pathologically and physiologically small for gestational age fetuses when amniocentesis is done for the detection of fetal lung maturity or rapid karyotypisation OP23.03Comparison of leptin and adiponectin levels in maternal serum and venous umbilical cord blood between growth restricted and normal fetuses Perinatology, Shariati Hospital, Tehran, IranObjective: To evaluate the concentration of leptin and adiponectin levels in umbilical cord blood and maternal serum of growth restricted fetuses. Methods: Maternal serum and umbilical cord blood leptin and adiponectin levels were measured at term in 22 women with normal singleton pregnancies and in 22 women with singleton growth restricted fetuses, all with normal pregravid body mass index (BMI). Results: In growth restricted fetuses the mean level of leptin was significantly decreased in venous cord blood when compared with that of AGA fetuses (8.1 versus 39.4 ng/ml; P < 0.001), while there was no significant difference in maternal serum between two groups (57.5 versus 72.6 ng/ml; P = 0.14). The mean level of adiponectin was significantly lower in venous cord blood of IUGR fetuses compared with AGA fetuses (28.8 vrsus 43.6 ug/ml; P ...

Background: Endometrial receptivity is one of the important factors in assisted reproductive technology (ART) success. In the luteal phase of an ART cycle, serum estradiol (E2) and progesterone are often placed in low levels. Supporting the luteal phase with progesterone is a usual method. Objective: To evaluate the effects of E2 supplementation plus progesterone on the luteal phase support in the antagonist protocol who have undergone intracytoplasmic sperm injection-embryo transfer cycles. Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 200 patients with antagonist stimulation protocol, who had undergone intracytoplasmic sperm injection treatment, were divided into two groups based on the use of E2 supplementation. In both groups, 400 mg progesterone suppositories (Cyclogest®), twice a day/vaginally, was administered starting from the day of oocyte collection until the fetal heart activity. However, in the E2 group, in addition to progesterone, 4 mg tablet of E2 was received daily. Beta hCG was checked 14 days after the embryo transfer, and the clinical pregnancy rate was the main endpoint. Results: The patients’ characteristics were matched, and insignificant differences were observed, except for endometrial thickness. The clinical outcomes showed the rate of pregnancy was higher in the E2 group compared to the control group; nonetheless, statistically, there was no noticeable difference. Conclusion: E2 supplementation had no beneficial effect in the luteal phase support of IVF cycles. Nevertheless, more studies are required to confirm the supportive role of E2 supplementation for embryo implantation and to improve the outcomes in ART cycles. Key words: Luteal phase, Estradiol, Progesterone, ICSI, Pregnancy rate.