Cerebrospinal fluid dynorphin 1-17 and β-endorphin in late pregnancy and six months after delivery

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Abstract
Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) levels of dynorphin A and .beta.-endorphin were measured by radioimmunoassay in 62 primiparae in term pregnancy before onset of labor. In 50 of these women acupuncture (AP) treatment was given in an antenatal preparation procedure. In 15 of the AP-treated women, CSF samples were further obtained six months after delivery. Median values for dynorphin A were 7.5 pmol/l in AP-treated women and 6.4 pmol/l in non-treated controls. The puerperal median value for dynorphin A was 7.6 pmol/l. Median values for .beta.-endorphin were 7.1 pmol/l in AP-treated women and 5.7 pmol/l in non-treated controls. The median .beta.-endorphin value after delivery was 7.3 pmol/l. There was no significant difference in CSF dynorphin A or .beta.-endorphin levels between the AP-treated women and non-treated controls in late pregnancy. Consequently, the present study does not support the theory of a positive influence on either the dynorphin or the .beta.-endorphin system by manual AP. Within subjects comparisons of dynorphin-A and .beta.-endorphin failed to indicate any significant trend in samples obtained in late pregnancy and 6 months after delivery, and there was no increased activity in either the dynorphin or the .beta.-endorphin system in late pregnancy, as reflected by CSF levels.