[Converse changes in serum levels of immunoglobulins (IgG, A and M) and complement components (C3, 4) during pregnancy].
Sequential changes in serum levels of the immunoglobulins IgG, A and M and of the complements C3 and C4 during pregnancy and the postpartum period were studied in 8 healthy women. Serum IgG and A levels decreased gradually during pregnancy, but increased significantly during the first three months following delivery. Serum IgM level also decreased during pregnancy, reaching its minimum during the second trimester, but increased thereafter. In contrast, C3 and C4 levels increased significantly during pregnancy and reached their maximum levels during the last trimester. After delivery, levels of these two components decreased gradually for the next six months. The complement system may operate as a compensatory autoregulatory mechanism in the suppression of the humoral immune system during pregnancy.
Yasuhara
M
M
Central Laboratory for Clinical Investigation, Osaka University Hospital.
Tamaki
H
H
Iyama
S
S
Yamaguchi
Y
Y
Amino
N
N
Miyai
K
K
D000328:Adult; D003176:Complement C3 / Q000378:metabolism*; D003181:Complement C4 / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007070:Immunoglobulin A / Q000378:metabolism*; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000378:metabolism*; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000378:metabolism*; D049590:Postpartum Period / Q000276:immunology; D011247:Pregnancy / Q000276:immunology*
D003176:Complement C3; D003181:Complement C4; D007070:Immunoglobulin A; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D007075:Immunoglobulin M