Background The rate of cesarean section is increasing worldwide. Adiponectin is a hormone related to anti-inflammatory and anti-atherogenic effects; and it′s concentrations may change in response to inflammatory situations including surgical intervention. The aim of the current study was to investigate serum adiponectin levels in maternal and umbilical cord blood according to different modes of delivery and their relationship with anthropometric measurements and fetal sex. Methods The study population initially comprised 90 healthy pregnant women referred to the teaching hospital. Eventually, 40 participants in the vaginal delivery group and 35 subjects in the cesarean delivery group were recruited in to the study. Umbilical cord blood and maternal serum samples were analyzed according to the standard protocol from the manufacturer. The collected data were analyzed using SPSS-16 software. P-value < 0.05 was considered as the significance level for all tests. Results Our results indicated a significant association between maternal adiponectin and the mode of delivery, with adiponectin levels significantly higher in vaginal delivery compared to cesarean section (P < 0.001). However, no difference was found in umbilical cord blood adiponectin between the two groups (P = 0.51). A significant positive correlation was found between maternal serum adiponectin in the first day after birth and umbilical cord blood adiponectin in the vaginal delivery group (P = 0.007). Nevertheless, this correlation was not statistically significant in the cesarean delivery group (P = 0.62). There was also no significant correlation between fetal sex and anthropometric measurements with maternal adiponectin (P = 0.44) and umbilical cord blood adiponectin (P = 0.86). Conclusions The result of the current study revealed that maternal adiponectin concentration was significantly higher in vaginal delivery compared to cesarean section, which might be due to the increased levels of maternal adiponectin release during labor.

Background There is a growing body of evidence regarding the association between Adiponectin and mental disorders. We aim to evaluate the association between serum level of Adiponectin hormone and postpartum depression and marital satisfaction scores. Methods A prospective cohort study of 90 pregnant women was conducted in Mahdieh Hospital, Tehran, Iran. Blood samples were collected during the first 24 h after delivery. The serum Adiponectin concentration was measured with an Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) kit. The depression score was measured using a validated Iranian version of the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) questionnaire at six weeks (6-weeks) and twelve weeks (12-weeks) after delivery. Using the Kansas questionnaire at twelve weeks (12-weeks) after delivery, the marital satisfaction score was measured. The measurements were compared between two groups, satisfied and dissatisfied mothers. P-values lower than 0.05 were considered significant. Results The mean serum level of Adiponectin was significantly higher in the dissatisfied group. It was 10.9 ± 13.4 μg/ml and 15.2 ± 17.7 μg /ml in the satisfied and dissatisfied groups, respectively (P = 0.04). The postpartum depression scores of 6- and 12-weeks after delivery were significantly higher in the dissatisfied group. At 6-weeks after delivery, the postpartum depression scores were 3.6 ± 3 and 8.7 ± 5.6 in satisfied and dissatisfied groups, respectively. Those were 2.7 ± 2.7 and 7.6 ± 5 at 12-weeks after delivery, respectively. There was a significant difference statistically (P <  0.001). Conclusion Mothers in the dissatisfied group, experienced higher depression scores at 12-weeks postpartum while they had shown higher serum Adiponectin levels at the first 24 h after delivery.

Background Orexin as an adipokin hormone plays an important role in appetite regulation, energy metabolism, obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. The main source of orexin secretion in nonpregnant and pregnant women is adipose tissue and placenta, respectively. This research was conducted to evaluate the association between orexin‐A level and the mode of delivery, anthropometric indices, and sex of the infant. Methods This prospective cohort study was conducted on 69 normal pregnant women. The samples of umbilical cord blood were obtained at the time of delivery, and maternal blood was taken within 24 h of delivery. Serum orexin‐A levels were measured by using enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS and p < 0.05 was considered as significant. Results We found a significant difference between postpartum maternal and umbilical cord orexin‐A level both with the mode of delivery (p < 0.001). Also, a significant positive correlation was seen between maternal and umbilical cord serum orexin‐A levels (r = −0.61, p < 0.001). There was no relationship between serum orexin‐A levels with anthropometric indices and the sex of the neonate (p > 0.05). Conclusion Both maternal and umbilical cord serum orexin‐A levels were associated with the mode of delivery. Maternal and cord blood orexin‐A levels in normal vaginal delivery are higher than cesarean section.