The effect of the mode of delivery on the maternal–neonatal erythrocyte membrane acetylcholinesterase activity

Abstract

Free radical production and high catecholamine levels are implicated with the modulation of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity. Objective To investigate the effect of the mode of delivery on maternal–neonatal erythrocyte membrane AChE activity. Subjects and methods Some women with normal pregnancy ( N = 30) were divided into two groups: group A ( N = 16) with normal labour and vaginal delivery and group B ( N = 14) with scheduled Cesarean section, twenty non-pregnant women were the controls. Blood was obtained from controls and from mothers pre- vs post-delivery as well as from the umbilical cord (CB). Total antioxidant status (TAS), membrane AChE activities and catecholamine blood levels were measured with a commercial kit, spectrophotometrically and HPLC methods, respectively. Results TAS and catecholamine levels as well as membrane AChE activities were similar in the two groups of mothers pre-delivery and in controls. TAS levels were reduced whereas AChE activities and catecholamine levels were increased post-delivery in mothers of group A and unaltered in group B at the same times of study. AChE activity was similarly lower in the CB of neonates than those of their mothers pre-delivery. Conclusions During a normal delivery process, the low TAS, the increased levels of catecholamines and the increased AChE activity, post-delivery, may be due to the increased stress due to the participation of uterus and skeletal muscles as during endurance exercise. The low AChE activity in newborns may be related to perinatal immaturity.