Abstract
Evidence has been presented supporting the concept that an immune reaction occurs during pregnancy. Such evidence consists of the occurrence of a proliferative vascular lesion on the maternal, but not on the fetal, side of the placenta, which increases in frequency during the first trimester, appears to fall off subsequently, only to rise again at term, although not to the initial level of frequency and intensity. Such lesions bind antihuman globulin and complement, showing more intense binding of the latter than of the former. This concept is also supported by fluctuation in the level of certain globulins, particularly the alpha1 and alpha2 fractions, which corresponds roughly to the fluctuations in frequency of the vascular lesions. It is also supported by the occurrence of nodular collections of lymphocytes which is most intense in the term uterus.Evidence is discussed which indicate that there is a partial suppression of this immune reaction in normal pregnancy, probably by the maternal hormones, thus permitting the fetus to develop to term.
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