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Fetal Sex‐Based Differences in Maternal Hormones, Angiogenic Factors, and Immune Mediators During Pregnancy and the Postpartum Period
Author(s) -
Enninga Elizabeth Ann L.,
Nevala Wendy K.,
Creedon Douglas J.,
Markovic Svetomir N.,
Holtan Shernan G.
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
american journal of reproductive immunology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.071
H-Index - 97
eISSN - 1600-0897
pISSN - 1046-7408
DOI - 10.1111/aji.12303
Subject(s) - fetus , proinflammatory cytokine , pregnancy , immune system , hormone , gestation , medicine , postpartum period , physiology , endocrinology , biology , immunology , inflammation , genetics
Problem Several pregnancy complications have disparities based on the sex of the fetus. It is unknown whether the sex of the fetus differentially alters the maternal immune milieu, potentially contributing to the observed differences. Method of study Using maternal plasma collected during 38 uncomplicated pregnancies (19 males, 19 females), we compared levels of cytokines, sex hormones, and angiogenic factors throughout gestation and postpartum. Results Male fetal sex was associated with higher levels of proinflammatory cytokines (G‐ CSF , IL ‐12p70, IL ‐21, and IL ‐33) and angiogenic factors (Pl GF and VEGF ‐A) compared with female fetal sex at multiple timepoints. Female fetal sex was associated with higher levels of regulatory cytokines ( IL ‐5, IL ‐9, IL ‐17, and IL ‐25). IL ‐27 increased throughout pregnancy regardless of fetal sex. There was no fetal sex‐based difference in analyte concentrations at the postpartum measurement. Conclusion Women carrying a male fetus exhibit a more proinflammatory/proangiogenic immune milieu than women carrying a female fetus.