β-Endorphin concentrations in fetal blood during the second half of pregnancy

OBJECTIVE: Endogenous opiates may play a role in both fetal physiologic functions and the adaptation to intrauterine stress. However, our understanding of this role is hampered by an absence of data on circulating levels of these substances during fetal life. STUDY DESIGN: We measured serum \gB-endorphin values with a radioimmunoassay in 81 paired fetal and maternal blood samples and 24 neonatal cord specimens. The former samples were uneventfully obtained from uncomplicated pregnancies between 18 and 39 weeks of gestation at the time of cordocentesis for prenatal diagnosis. RESULTS: Mean fetal β-endorphin concentrations were significantly lower than β-endorphin values from neonates (90.5 pg/ml [±59.4] vs 228.4 pg/ml [±166.2]; p<0.001), but significantly higher than mean maternal values (70.5 pg/ml [±48.8]; p < 0.02). Although fetal β-endorphin levels decreased between 18 and 28 weeks' gestation, the correlation between fetal β-endorphin values and gestational age was not Significant (r = −0.193; p = 0.07). However, fetal β-endorphin concentrations were significantly correlated with maternal values (Spearman's rank r = 0.47; p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that delivery or fetal adaptation to an extrauterine environment is associated with significant increases in β-endorphin release. Moreover, although the fetal pituitary may be the primary source of circulating fetal β-endorphin, a maternal or placental contribution cannot be excluded. Our data identify a physiologic range for fetal β-endorphin concentrations.