title: Cytokine Levels in Late Pregnancy: Are Female Infants Better Protected Against Inflammation?
abstract: Inflammatory responses have been implicated in several forms of infant deaths (sudden expected deaths and stillbirths) and the initiation of pre-term births. In this study, we examined matched samples of term maternal blood, cord blood, and amniotic fluid obtained from 24 elective cesarean deliveries for both pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines thought to be important in maintaining a balanced response leading to successful pregnancy outcome. These included interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, IL-8, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interferon-γ (IFN-γ), IL-10, and IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra). Amniotic fluid levels for each of the cytokines examined were significantly higher than those for cord blood or maternal plasma. While pro-inflammatory cytokines were higher in amniotic fluid associated with male fetuses compared with females, the major significant difference was higher levels of IL-1ra in amniotic fluid associated with female fetuses. Our study supports similar findings for cytokines during mid-trimester, which noted that amniotic fluid levels were higher than those in maternal blood. Our study suggests that maternal decidua secretes additional IL-ra in the presence of a female conceptus which improves the likelihood of a good outcome compared to pregnancies with male fetuses.
authors.affiliation: Hunter Medical Research Institute , New Lambton, NSW , Australia ; Information-Based Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medicine, School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, University of Newcastle , New Lambton, NSW , Australia ; Hunter Area Pathology Service Immunology , New Lambton, NSW , Australia.
authors.forename: Christine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Burns
authors.affiliation: Hunter Medical Research Institute , New Lambton, NSW , Australia ; Information-Based Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medicine, School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, University of Newcastle , New Lambton, NSW , Australia ; Hunter Area Pathology Service Immunology , New Lambton, NSW , Australia.
authors.forename: Sharron Therese
authors.initials: ST
authors.lastname: Hall
authors.affiliation: Hunter Medical Research Institute , New Lambton, NSW , Australia ; Faculty of Health and Medicine, Mothers and Babies Research Centre, University of Newcastle , New Lambton, NSW , Australia.
authors.forename: Roger
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.affiliation: Hunter Medical Research Institute , New Lambton, NSW , Australia ; Information-Based Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medicine, School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, University of Newcastle , New Lambton, NSW , Australia.
authors.forename: Caroline
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Blackwell
keywords: amniotic fluid; cord blood; cytokines; maternal plasma; third trimester