Melatonin in pregnancy: MEL-P2
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Investigation of melatonin production in pregnancy: a pilot study to define the contribution of the placenta
IRAS ID
244780
Contact name
Helen Galley
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Aberdeen
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 0 months, 0 days
Research summary
Melatonin is well known for its role in the sleep-wake cycle and is synthesised in response to low light levels from the pineal gland. In our previous study we found that serum melatonin levels increased dramatically during pregnancy, such that levels were up to 100 fold higher in the third trimester compared to healthy non-pregnant women. The placenta contains the enzymes which are involved in synthesising melatonin but it is unclear if this is the source of the high levels in pregnancy. Severe pre-eclampsia has been reported to be associated with low levels of melatonin. In this study we propose to measure serum melatonin immediately before and after delivery and in cord blood and relate the levels to those in the placenta itself. This will contribute to the potential role for melatonin as a biomarker for obstetric disease and potentially as a therapeutic agent in future. This observational pilot study aims to measure serum and placental melatonin levels (as the major metabolite 6-hydroxymelatonin sulphate) in pregnant women undergoing elective Caesarean section. This study will form the project component for MSc project.
REC name
London - Bromley Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
18/LO/0616
Date of REC Opinion
5 Apr 2018
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion