Hyaluronan (HA) and serum-derived hyaluronan-associated protein (SHAP)-HA complex as predictive markers of cervical ripening in premature labor.

The purpose of this study is to investigate whether serum hyaluronan (HA) and serum-derived HA-associated proteins (SHAP)-HA complex predict cervical ripening and premature delivery. Sera were obtained from 64 women with normal pregnancies, 20 with full term delivery, and 13 with threatened premature labor. Concentrations of HA and SHAP-HA complex in serum were measured by sandwich ELISA. Serum concentrations of HA and SHAP-HA complex did not differ within first, second, and third trimester groups. The serum SHAP-HA complex was elevated in the full term labor group more than in the third trimester group; however, the concentrations of serum HA did not differ between both groups. The HA and SHAP-HA complex levels in sera were higher in the premature labor group than in the second trimester group. In the premature labor group, the SHAP-HA complex levels were higher in the cases with Bishop scores more than 4 points when compared with the cases with Bishop scores of 4 points or less. Increased levels of SHAP-HA complex in sera are possible predictive markers for cervical ripening in premature labor.

Follistatin serum concentrations during full-term labour in women--significant differences between spontaneous and induced labour.

Follistatin has been isolated from human placenta and has been identified in human foetal membranes and fluids. Serum follistatin levels in women rise during pregnancy particularly near term. In this study, we examined the effect of induction and stage of labour on maternal plasma concentrations of follistatin. Women who gave birth after a normal pregnancy were retrospectively divided into three groups: those who went in labour spontaneously (n = 33), needed induction by amniotomy and IV oxytocin (n = 18) or underwent planned caesarean section (n = 10). Serum was collected at 38-40 weeks of gestation, periodically through labour with a vaginal examination and once within 36 h postpartum and assayed for oestradiol, progesterone, prolactin and C-reactive protein. Follistatin was measured using a rabbit antiserum (#204) raised against purified 35 kDa bovine follistatin. Human recombinant follistatin was used as both standard and tracer. Concentrations of follistatin at 38-40 weeks of gestation were significantly different between groups. Those who had a spontaneous labour had concentrations higher than those who were induced. Similarly, those who were induced had concentrations higher than those who underwent a caesarean. In the spontaneous group, follistatin rose during labour, peaking at 57.9 +/- 5.48 ng/ml at > 3 cm of cervical dilation, and after delivery follistatin decreased to 26.16 +/- 3.4 ng/ml at 24 h post-delivery. In induced patients follistatin continued increasing to peak following delivery at 26.9 +/- 3.0 ng/ml and decreased at > 3 h post-delivery. Follistatin concentrations in caesarean section patients at 24 h post-surgery (18.53 +/- 3.74 ng/ml) were not different from that before the surgery and were comparable with the other two groups. Follistatin is clearly implicated in the onset of labour; however, further studies with a larger cohort of women are necessary to determine the nature of its role.

Relationship of serum levels of endogenous relaxin to cervical size in the second trimester and to cervical ripening at term.

OBJECTIVE: To assess whether cervical size in the early second trimester and cervical ripening at term may be related to serum levels of endogenous relaxin, 17beta-oestradiol or progesterone. DESIGN: A cross-sectional study investigating the relationship between hormone concentrations and cervical parameters as measured by ultrasound and Bishop score, respectively. PARTICIPANTS: Uncomplicated human pregnancies with normal fetal outcome, 72 women in the second trimester and 40 women at term. METHODS: Vaginal ultrasound and palpation were used to estimate cervical parameters. Hormones were analysed either by dissociation-enhanced fluoroimmunoassay (relaxin) or by automated electrochemiluminescent immunoassays. RESULTS: Cervical length and diameter correlated positively during mid-gestation and negatively at term. During mid-gestation, but not at term, relaxin was significantly associated with cervical length and volume, and with progesterone. Bishop score only correlated inversely with progesterone at term. CONCLUSION: Corpus luteum function is reflected by progesterone and relaxin in the early second trimester. An impact of relaxin on cervical growth, previously demonstrated by animal models and in vitro experiments, was confirmed during human mid-gestation. In contrast to many other species, human cervical ripening was not associated with endogenous relaxin at term, but with decreased progesterone.

Cervical ripening with mifepristone before labor induction: a randomized study.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the efficacy and safety of mifepristone for cervical ripening in post-term pregnancies. METHODS: Women with post-term pregnancies and Bishop scores less than 6 were assigned randomly to mifepristone (41 patients) or placebo (42 patients). Mifepristone was given orally in a dose of 400 mg. Efficacy was assessed by change in the Bishop score within 48 hours after treatment; a score of 6 or greater was considered a "strict" success. An "extended" success rate was defined, including all patients with scores of at least 6 or those who delivered within 48 hours of treatment. Antenatal safety was assessed by fetal heart rate testing before and throughout labor. Neonatal safety was assessed by Apgar score, arterial or venous pH of cord blood, and blood glucose level during the first 48 hours. Analysis used Student t test for continuous variables, Kruskal-Wallis test for ordinal data, and chi2 for categoric variables. RESULTS: Strict success was achieved in 10 of 18 mifepristone patients (55%) evaluated for Bishop score on day 2 versus 8 of 29 placebo patients (27.5%) (P=.004). Extended success was achieved in 33 mifepristone patients (80.5%) and 21 placebo patients (50.0%) (P=.004). There were no statistical differences with regard to number of cesareans or fetal and neonatal safety. CONCLUSION: Mifepristone proved effective for cervical ripening and reduced the time to delivery compared with placebo, but it did not improve the rate of cesarean. Our study did not include enough pregnancies to reach conclusions about fetal or neonatal safety.