Reactive oxygen species in the process of labor

Levels of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), an indicative pa rameter for oxidative damage, were measured in maternal and cord arterial a nd venous bloods, and compared between abdominal and vaginal deliveries. Sp ontaneous labor resulting in either vaginal or emergency abdominal deliveri es was associated with a statistically significant higher levels of TEARS i n cord artery compared to cord vein and maternal blood (p<0.05). The result s support a role of reactive oxygen species in the initiation of labor, pos sibly through their effect on prostaglandin metabolism. Alternatively, this may be a marker of fetal oxidative stress, secondary to the process of lab or.