Study of oxidative stress and enzymatic antioxidants in normal pregnancy.

Pregnancy is a physiological state accompanied by a high-energy demand and an increased oxygen requirement. Augmented levels of oxidative stress would be expected because of the increased intake and utilization of oxygen. Evidence of increased oxidative stress in normal pregnancy in comparison with nonpregnant controls was estimated by measuring Thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS), enzymatic antioxidants like Superoxide dismutase, Glutathione peroxidase, Glutathione reductase and catalase. It was observed that pregnant women were more susceptible to oxidative damage than non-pregnants as indicated by increased TBARS and decreased antioxidants.