Up to now we know, that cytokines are key intermediates in the mechanisms, responsible for intrauterine activation in case of intra amniotic infection. The aim of our study was to investigate the role of cytokine- and prostaglandin production in normal term labor. Release of Il-6, Il-1 beta, TNF-alpha, PGE2, PGF2 alpha, was monitored in vaginal secretions originating from uterine cavity, cervix and vagina during normal course of labor. Cells from fetal membranes, decidua and villous trophoblast, obtained from placentas of patients after spontaneous delivery (n = 12), or without labor, after elective cesarean section (n = 12), were cultured, in order to identify cytokine and prostaglandin producing cells. In all cases, term labor and parturition was associated with strongly elevated cytokine- and prostaglandin concentrations in cervical secretions. Cell culture experiments clearly demonstrated, that cells from villous trophoblast, cultured after spontaneous delivery produced significantly more cytokines and prostaglandins than cells form villous trophoblast, cultured after elective cesarean section. Cells from fetal membranes also produced more Il-6 and PGE2 after labor. In contrast to that, cells from decidua produced similar amounts of cytokines and prostaglandins before and after spontaneous term labor. Therefore we conclude, that the signal for term labor and delivery is of trophoblast and so of fetal origin.

Amniotic Fluid↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Fetal hydrothorax].

Three cases of bilateral congenital hydrothorax concomitant with hydrops fetalis are presented and compared with similar cases in literature. The hydrops fetalis to our opinion is caused by peripheral hypoxia. The hypoxia has its origin in the restricted cardiac output caused by the bilateral hydrothorax.

Amniocentesis↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Direct detection of Herpes simplex virus using monoclonal antibodies in pregnant women].

HSV infections are the cause of 15%-25% of all venereal diseases. According to the rise of genital HSV infections a similar rise in seriously infected newborn babies can be expected. We obtained 159 cervix smears from 114 pregnant women for a direct test with monoclonal antibodies against HSV I and HSV II infections in the obstetrical division of the University Clinic Frankfurt. 17 (14.9%) of the 114 patients were discovered to be infected with HSV. Blood samples of 15 of these women were examined for IgG and IgM antibodies against HSV I and HSV II. Four samples were negative for IgG and IgM antibodies, 11 samples had visible IgG antibodies but no IgM antibodies could be seen. The direct proof of monoclonal antibodies is simple and quickly obtainable in any laboratory and thus is an improvement towards quick diagnosis and typing of HSV infections. An overall screening of HSV infections in pregnant women does not seem recommendable since the antepartal result does not correlate to the risk of infection during delivery.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[11-Desoxycorticosterone * (DOC) during pregnancy and labor].

In this paper investigations into the increase in the concentration of DOC during the 8th and 40th week of pregnancy are described. It was found that the DOC values sub partu in the umbilical cord are higher than in the maternal blood and that a rapid decrease in the corticoid level occurs post partum both in the mother and in the infant. The fetoplacental unit is discussed as the possible site of synthesis of the steroid.

Desoxycorticosterone↗