Determinants of umbilical cord arterial 8-iso-prostaglandin F2α concentrations

Objective To determine the concentration of 8-isoPGF(2 alpha) in cord blood as a measure of oxidative stress during labour, and to compare them with other established parameters of in vivo lipid peroxidation and with the acid-base status of the newborn. Method Umbilical cord arterial and venous blood samples were collected from 81 singleton term deliveries for determination of 8-isoPGF(2 alpha), malondialdehyde and organic hydroperoxides. In addition, metabolites derived from the oxidative metabolism of purines during hypoxia-reoxygenation and routine cord blood of oxygen saturation, pH, pO(2), pCO(2), HCO3 and base excess were measured. Results Arterial concentrations of 8-isoPGF(2 alpha) were significantly higher in cases with fetal distress, tight nuchal cord (P < 0.001), the umbilical coiling index, and male sex (P < 0.05) (R-2 = 0.48). No correlation was found with any parameter of acid-base status. In arterial and venous blood the concentrations of organic hydroperoxides and hypoxanthine significantly correlated with the fetal nuchal cord (P < 0.001) (R-2 = 0.26 and 0.6, respectively). Conclusion Our findings indicate that 8-isoPGF(2 alpha) in cord arterial blood is a suitable parameter to quantify a possible oxidative stress in the fetus during labour. Measurements of the F-2-isoprostane concentrations in cord blood at labour provide a clinically useful method to assess the perinatal outcome.