The levels of relaxin and amino acids play a critical role in women with variable degree of preparedness for labour

Abstract

Underlying biochemical factors that contribute towards the preparedness for labour and ripening of the cervix remain largely unknown. We aimed to characterize metabolic and hormonal determinants that constitute the preparedness for labour in women. The aim of the research was to study the content of relaxin and amino acids involved in its formation in primiparous pregnant women with various degrees of birth preparedness. Materials and methods: Prospective study has been conducted on 115 primiparous women at 38–40 weeks of gestation. Biochemical methods were used to analyse relaxin and amino acid levels in pregnant women with varying degree of birth preparedness. Results: the obtained data from the study indicate importance role of relaxin in the underlying pathogenesis in women with variable degree of preparedness for labour. The results allow to use the levels of relaxin serum as a predictor of the state of the birth canal. Furthermore, the amino acids are known to participate in various critical metabolic processes and play an important role is orchestrating many essential pathways in the body. We present the analysis of amino acids involved in the formation of relaxin in the serum of pregnant women. Our analysis has shown that amino acid imbalance leads to disruption of energy metabolism and blood flow rate, resulting in metabolic, structural and functional changes in the cervix at the onset of labour. Conclusion: considering the mechanisms of the possible influence of relaxin and amino acids on the cervical ripening, we concluded that correcting amino acid imbalance and normalising relaxin levels should be included in preinduction of labour therapeutic regimen. This would be an important step in improving the perinatal outcomes.