title: Lymphocyte subsets in habitual abortion.
abstract: Lymphocyte subpopulations were characterized by means of monoclonal antibodies in 25 women with habitual abortion and 21 multiparous normal women. Compared to nonpregnant women (N = 8), pregnant normal women were associated with significantly lower helper-to-suppressor ratios (1.71 +/- 0.41 versus 2.37 +/- 0.66). In contrast in pregnant women with habitual abortion (N = 13) the ratio remained high (2.32 +/- 0.73). Failure to increase the number of suppressors and a significant rise in helpers caused this increased ratio. We discuss the possible mechanisms and etiological importance of this finding in habitual abortion.
mesh_terms: D000026:Abortion, Habitual / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology*; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007108:Immune Tolerance; D011247:Pregnancy; D011255:Pregnancy Maintenance; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000145:classification* / Q000276:immunology; D006377:T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer / Q000276:immunology; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal