Objective: To study the relationship between prenatal serum trace element levels and postpartum hemorrhage, mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling molecule and prostaglandins (PGs) expression as well as oxidative stress. Methods: 135 full-term puerperae who accepted natural delivery in obstetrics department of our hospital between May 2014 and June 2016 were selected and divided into the research group with postpartum bleeding >500 mL and the control group with postpartum bleeding

more »

... 0 mL. Prenatal serum samples were collected to determine the contents of trace elements and PGs, and postpartum placental tissue was collected to determine the expression of MAPK signaling molecules and PGs as well as the levels of oxidative stress molecules. Results: Prenatal serum calcium, zinc and iron levels of research group were significantly lower than those of control group (P<0.05) while copper and magnesium levels were not significantly different from those of control group (P>0.05); p-EKR1, p-ERK2, p-JNK1, p-JNK2, p-P38MAPK, prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and PGF2α protein expression in placenta tissue as well as PGE2 and PGF2α levels in serum were significantly lower than those of control group (P<0.05) and positively correlated with prenatal serum calcium, zinc and iron levels, and p-EKR1, p-ERK2, p-JNK1, p-JNK2 and p-P38MAPK protein expression in placenta tissue were positively correlated with PGE2 and PGF2α expression in placenta tissue as well as PGE2 and PGF2α levels in serum; ROS, OONO-, NO and MDA levels in placenta tissue of research group were significantly higher than those of control group (P<0.05) and negatively correlated with prenatal serum calcium, zinc and iron levels. Conclusion: Decreased prenatal maternal serum trace elements calcium, zinc and iron levels are associated with postpartum hemorrhage; decreased calcium, zinc and iron levels can inhibit the PGE2 and PGF2α secretion mediated by MAPK signaling pathway and increased oxidative stress reaction.