Abstract
Plasma adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and β-endorphin (β-EP) concentrations were measured by radioimmunoassay in 122 newborns, born vaginally after spontaneous labor between the 38th and the 41 st week of pregnancy. Blood samples were taken from umbilical cord in 10 newborns and from antecubital vein in the remaining 112 newborns, divided into 8 groups aged from 12 h to 7 days. The mean (± SE) ACTH concentrations in cord plasma were 81.87 ±10.16 pg/ml and decreased significantly (p < 0.01) at the 24th h of life (49.09 ± 6.93 pg/ml). Afterwards mean ACTH plasma concentrations fluctuated around the latter values. The mean (± SE) B-EP concentrations in cord plasma were 21.96 ± 3.12 pmol/l and decreased significantly at the 24th h of life (13.43 ± 2.08 pmol/l; p < 0.01). From the 24th h to the 7th day the mean plasma concentrations of β-EP were not significantly different. ACTH and β-EP plasma levels were positively correlated (p < 0.001) at delivery and during the first seven days of life.
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Gemelli, M., Mamì, C., Manganaro, R. et al. Correlation between plasma levels of ACTH and β-endorphin in the first seven days of postnatal life. J Endocrinol Invest 11, 395–398 (1988). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03349064
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03349064