Abstract
Tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) is present in human placental and uterine cells and
promotes the regulation of trophoblast growth and invasion. Tumor necrosis factor
receptor 1 (TNF-R1) is a receptor for TNF-α, and soluble TNF-R1 (sTNF-R1) is present
in amniotic fluid after receptor shedding. We evaluated whether amniotic fluid TNF-α
and sTNF-R1 levels during labor differed from those before the onset of labor in normal
pregnancies. This study enrolled 34 Japanese women experiencing normal pregnancies
with single fetuses who had no infection. Of these subjects, 17 went into labor and
had subsequent term deliveries (the labor group), and the other 17 underwent cesarean
section without labor (the nonlabor group). The average gestational age at entry was
38-39 weeks of gestation. Maternal ages and gestational ages did not differ significantly
between the two groups. Amniotic fluid was collected and the TNF-α and sTNF-R1 levels
were determined by the ELISA method. Each of these levels was compared between the
two groups. There was a significant increase in amniotic fluid TNF-α levels in the
labor group. However, amniotic fluid sTNF-R1 levels did not differ significantly between
the two groups. Amniotic fluid TNF-α may promote the onset of labor at term and/or
term labor contributing to subsequent delivery may induce the production and secretion
of TNF-α into the amniotic cavity. There was no pregnancy-associated increase in receptor
shedding or cell apoptosis at the onset of labor.
Key words
amniotic fluid - at term - labor - normal pregnancies - soluble tumor necrosis factor
receptor 1 - tumor necrosis factor-α
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Correspondence
M. HayashiMD, PhD
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology
International University of Health and Welfare Atami Hospital
13-1, Higashikaigan-cho
Atami-shi
413-0012 Shizuoka
Japan
Telefon: +81/557/81 91 71
Fax: +81/557/83 66 32
eMail: mhayashi@lilac.plala.or.jp