Non-pregnant Ones Research Articles

High adenosine content in human uterine smooth muscle compared with striated skeletal muscle

We determined the concentrations of adenosine and some of its catabolic products in biopsy specimens from predetermined loci of human myometrium under different functional conditions to compare uterine muscle with rectus abdominis muscle from the same individuals. In order to achieve a good resolution in the separation of nucleosides and purine bases, a preseparation procedure was developed prior to analysis of these compounds on high performance liquid chromatography. Adenosine occurred in a nearly 70-fold higher concentration in smooth uterine muscle in comparison with striated skeletal muscle. Similarly, myometrial inosine and hypoxanthine were 7- and 2.4-times in excess over the rectus muscle, whereas xanthine was scarcely and rather evenly represented in the two types of muscles. The uterine content of adenosine and inosine was distinctly higher in pregnant women compared to non-pregnant ones. A regional difference existed for adenosine, with 3.3 times higher concentration in fundus uteri compared to the isthmic part. A reverse pattern was observed for hypoxanthine and inosine, being 2–3 times more frequent in the isthmic part. The orthophosphate concentration was not stoichiometrically related to the adenosine concentration in a simple way, being 2–3 times lower in uterine muscle compared to the skeletal muscle. A significant correlation existed between uterine contents of AMP and adenosine and similarly, significant inverse correlations were apparent between uterine ATP and ADP contents and energy charge on one hand and adenosine content on the other.

Normal Erythrogram of Mountain Gaddi Goats During Different Physiological Conditions

Abstract Rastogi, S. K., Kumar, N., Singh, S. P. and Tyagi, S. K. 1993. Normal erythrogram of mountain gaddi goats during different physiological conditions. J. Appl. Anim. Res., 3: 107–111. Vanous erythrocytic characteristics were studied in thirty Gaddi goats (male kids, female kids, pregnant does, non-pregnant does and bucks). Highest erythrocytic count (21.6x 106/μ1) and MCHC (30.7%) were recorded in bucks. The kids and adult females had larger erythrocytes in terms of diameter and mean corpuscular volume (3.06–3.37μm and 19.7–23.4 fl respectively) as compared to the bucks (2.78 μm and 15.7 fl). Most of the erythrocytic parameters were found elevated in pregnant does in comparison to the non-pregnant ones. In general the erythrocytic parameters of Gaddi goats were of higher order as compared to those of other Indian goat breeds of the plains.

Endothelium-derived relaxing factor and indomethacin-sensitive contracting factor alter arterial contractile responses to thromboxane during pregnancy

Pregnancy reduces uterine artery contractile responses to norepinephrine and angiotensin II in many species, including the human and the guinea pig, by release of endothelium-derived relaxing substances. We hypothesized that vascular reactivity to thromboxane during pregnancy would also be reduced by a similar mechanism. Isolated ring segments of uterine and carotid arteries from nonpregnant and near-term pregnant guinea pigs were suspended in a myograph for the measurement of isometric tension. Uterine but not carotid artery sensitivity to cumulative addition of the thromboxane analog U46619 was decreased during pregnancy. The maximal contractile responses of both vessels were unaltered by pregnancy. N omega-nitro-L-arginine (10(-4) mol/L), an inhibitor of nitric oxide endothelium-derived relaxing factor synthesis, increased the sensitivity of uterine and carotid arteries to U46619 in both pregnant and nonpregnant animals. The maximal contractile response of uterine arteries from pregnant guinea pigs was also increased, but that of nonpregnant ones was not. The maximal U46619 contractile response of the carotid artery was not significantly altered by N omega-nitro-L-arginine. Indomethacin (10(-5) mol/L), a cyclooxygenase inhibitor, reduced both the sensitivity and the maximal response of U46619 in each vessel group. Removal of the endothelium from uterine artery of pregnant animals enhanced both sensitivity and maximal response to U46619. Pretreatment of the denuded segments with indomethacin reduced the sensitivity to U46619. However, indomethacin-treated denuded segments were still more sensitive to U46619 than controls. The sensitivity of guinea pig uterine artery but not carotid artery to thromboxane is reduced during pregnancy. Although the precise mechanism remains unclear, both endothelium-derived relaxing factor and an indomethacin-sensitive contracting factor are involved. If indomethacin-sensitive contracting factor is released by humans and disease alters that release, it is possible that any enhanced contractile response to thromboxane resulting from the loss of endothelium-derived relaxing agents such as prostacyclin and endothelium-derived relaxing factor would be offset by the loss of indomethacin-sensitive contracting factor.

Prediction of conception rate in extensive beef herds in north-western Australia. 2. Continuous mating and minimal management

Data from a continuously mated, unweaned and unsupplemented herd of 400 Bos indicus cross cows at 'Kidman Springs', from 1981-85, were used to develop statistical models for conception rate and pattern. At the annual muster in June, an average of 49% of cows were rearing a calf; 15% of these and 75% of those not rearing a calf were pregnant; and 54% conceived within the next 12 months. Cows non-pregnant in June had higher conception rates than pregnant ones (75 v. 33%), and among pregnant cows, those which had reared a calf had higher conception rates than those which had not (40 v. 26%). Cows that had not reared a calf were much heavier and in better condition in June than those that had, while pregnant cows were slightly heavier and better conditioned than non-pregnant ones. The effect of liveweight or condition score in June on subsequent conception rate was consistent across years, reproductive classes and cow ages. Conception rates responded linearly to increases in liveweight, in the range 250-400 kg, by 11 percentage points up to October and by 24 points up to June. Similar linear responses to condition score in the range poor-good condition were 8 points by October and 15 points by June. Reproductive wastage was high, with 20% of cows diagnosed pregnant in June failing to rear their calf to branding. Low-cost management options to improve reproductive efficiency should be aimed at reducing nutritional stress and improving seasonal nutrition. To improve on the norm of a calf every second year in this environment, the class of cows not rearing a calf but pregnant and expected to calve by December has the greatest potential to conceive in consecutive years and should be segregated for preferential management. Conversely, aged cows not rearing a calf have comparatively low fertility and non-pregnant younger cows not rearing a calf are likely to be a survival risk following an out-ofseason conception. Both groups should be culled.

Prediction of conception rate in extensive beef herds in north-western Australia. 1. Seasonal mating and improved management

Statistical models for conception rate were developed using data collected at a mid dry season (August-September) muster from a controlled-mated and supplemented herd of 900 Brahman cross cows at Mt Bundey from 1980-84. Average conception rates were 74% for maidens, 25% for first-lactation cows, 51 % for 4-10-year-old lactating cows, 54% for >10-year-old lactating cows and 96% for non-lactating cows. Although year effects dominated, they were partially explained by severity of the dry season and were consistent across levels of the other factors. Pregnant maiden heifers weighed 13 kg more than non-pregnant ones at the end of mating, after allowing for the weight of the fetus and gravid uterus. Conception rate of first-lactation cows was not affected by month of calving, adjusted mid dry season weight or condition score, possibly because of narrow ranges in these factors based on selection. For mature lactating cows the main effects on conception rate were month of calving (+11% for September to -16% for December or later), previous lactation (+6% for having reared a calf), adjusted mid dry season weight (-16% for <300 kg to +9% for >350 kg) and condition score (-17% for backward and store to +16% for good condition). Corresponding effects for aged lactating cows were +14% for September to -19% for December or later calving, +8% for previously rearing a calf, and -24% for backward store and store to +23% for good condition cows. The high conception rates for non-lactating cows corresponded with high liveweights and condition scores. A low cost, practical implementation of these models is based on previous lactation status and condition score in the mid dry season, with pregnancy diagnosis added at the next stage. Reproductive classes could be segregated on this basis for improved management and nutrition and to gain an economic return on capital invested in cattle control.

C1-Esterase Inhibitor in Uncomplicated Pregnancy and Mild and Moderate Preeclampsia

Routine coagulation tests and measurement of the plasma levels of C1-esterase inhibitor (C1-INH) and antithrombin III were performed in 17 women with mild preeclampsia, 10 women with moderate preeclampsia and 20 women with uncomplicated pregnancy. All pregnant probands were within the third trimester of pregnancy. 20 non-pregnant women were used as controls. The groups were matched in age and the pregnant ones were also matched in gestational age. C1-INH activity and antigen were significantly reduced (p less than 0.002) in normally pregnant women as compared with non-pregnant ones. Further, C1-INH activity was lower in women with mild preeclampsia and significantly lower in women with moderate preeclampsia (p less than 0.05) as compared with normally pregnant women. None of the plasmatic coagulation tests was indicative of a consumption reaction. We conclude that C1-INH activity and antigen reductions are commonly associated with pregnancy. Furthermore, as markedly lower values can be found in mild and moderate preeclampsia, measurement of the C1-INH activity in pregnant women within the third trimester might proof useful to establish the diagnosis of a preeclamptic condition.

Effects of pregnancy and endothelial cell removal on α‐adrenoceptor‐mediated responses of rat thoracic aortae

1. The possibility was examined that changes in sensitivity of the aorta to alpha-adrenoceptor agonists during pregnancy in the rat are due to changes in smooth muscle receptor-mediated responses and/or endothelial cell-mediated responses. 2. Maximum constrictor responses to phenylephrine (PE) of both endothelium-intact and denuded thoracic aortic rings were greater when tissues were obtained from 20-day pregnant rats compared with non-pregnant ones. For endothelium-denuded thoracic aortic rings, the pA2 value for phentolamine as an antagonist of PE was not significantly different for rings from 20-day pregnant rats compared with rings from non-pregnant rats. 3. Prazosin (1-50 nM) markedly depressed maximum contractile responses to PE of endothelium-intact (but not denuded) thoracic aortic rings from both non-pregnant and 20-day pregnant rats. However, this marked depression of maximum responses by prazosin did not occur in the additional presence of yohimbine (10 nM), and yohimbine alone (10-500 mM) did not affect maximum responses to PE. There was no significant difference between the pA2 value for prazosin against PE-induced contractions of endothelium-denuded aortic rings obtained from either non-pregnant or 20-day pregnant rats (in the presence of yohimbine, 10 nM). 4. These results provide no evidence for a change in aortic smooth muscle alpha-adrenoceptor affinity during pregnancy, although maximum responsiveness of aortic smooth muscle to PE is increased on day 20 of pregnancy (c.f. non-pregnant controls).

BREAST CANCER ASSOCIATED WITH PREGNANCY

Three cases of breast cancer associated with pregnancy were reported. Two of the patients died of stage IV disease, 2 months and 17 days after delivery respectively. A third patient underwent radical mastectomy for stage I disease and the pregnancy was terminated by D & C. Then she gave birth to a child 16 months later and is well now, 5 years after surgery. It is said that breast cancer detected during pregnancy or lactation accounts for only 0.4-3.8% of this malignancy and its incidence is 1 per 3000 pregnancies. If it is reviewed for women of childbearing age, the incidence naturally increases to be as large as about 5 to 8 times the figure for entire breast cancers. Correct diagnosis of breast cancer occurring during pregnancy or lactation is often difficult to make owing to hormonal breast changes and tends to be deferred until advanced stages of the disease. However, we can find a lot of reports describing that no significant difference in disease course has been found between pregnant patients and non-pregnant ones, if the both patients groups were compared in the same stage. Accordingly, the more active diagnostic and therapeutic approach is strongly recommended for a breast mass which is formed during pregnancy or lactation.

Prevalence of asymptomatic carriers of Chlamydia trachomatis among pregnant and non-pregnant women in south-western Greece.

One-hundred-ninety-three pregnant and seventy five non-pregnant women, aged 18-35 years, were examined for endocervical infection with Chlamydia trachomatis using an enzyme immunoassay technique on cervical specimens. Chlamydia trachomatis was discovered in 7.2% of the pregnant women and in 10.6% of the non-pregnant ones. There was no correlation between chlamydia infection and either previous vulvovaginitis, previous pregnancies or pregnancy outcome. However, younger, more highly educated women with high sexual promiscuity tended to be more frequently colonized.

Sex ratio manipulation, maternal investment and behaviour during concurrent pregnancy and lactation in house mice

To determine the impact of concurrent pregnancy and lactation on reproduction in house mice, Mus musculus, the reproductive performances of primiparous inbred mice (Balb/c bom) were examined. Data on litter size and composition, and birth weights were recorded for 117 first litters and 29 second litters of dams, which were impregnated during postpartum oestrus. Twelve pregnant and 13 non-pregnant dams, together with their litters and feeders, were weighed daily during lactation. Activity budgets were taken of 10 dams in each group. Pregnant dams increased their food intake and withdrew milk earlier than non-pregnant ones. In addition, postpartum-conceived litters contained significantly heavier and fewer pups at birth than first litters and the sex ratio shifted in favour of males. Since male house mouse embryos are known to suffer more severely than females from nutritional stress, it is concluded that the sex ratio variation is not due to energy shortage during concurrent pregnancy and lactation. Rather, it may attributed to adaptive maternal manipulation, because postpartum-conceived pups will be heavier at weaning than other ones and males might benefit more strongly from being heavy at weaning than females. Finally, pregnant dams devoted more time to maternal care than did non-pregnant ones during the last 6 days of lactation. This contradicts the results on milk yield, if a direct proportionality of nursing time and amount of ejected milk is assumed, but is in agreement with the expected differences in maternal motivation of the dams.

Effects of histamine and serotonin on the contractility of isolated pregnant and nonpregnant human myometrium.

The effects of histamine and serotonin and their antagonists on contractile activity of pregnant and nonpregnant human uterine strips were studied. Both histamine and serotonin (5-HT) increased contractions, pregnant preparations were more responsive than nonpregnant ones. The effects of histamine and 5-HT were blocked by pyrilamine and methysergide, respectively. Pyrilamine (10(-7)-10(-6) M) acted as a competitive antagonist of the effect of histamine, whereas methysergide (10(-7)-10(-6) M) inhibited the response to 5-HT in a noncompetitive manner. Cimetidine and ketanserine were completely ineffective at the doses tested. It is suggested that the increase of contractile activity observed at the end of pregnancy could be partly mediated by the effect of histamine and 5-HT on smooth muscle of the human myometrium.

Behavior of mother rats in conflict tests sensitive to antianxiety agents.

Previous studies of freezing and open-field activity have demonstrated that lactating rats are less fearful or less anxious than nonpregnant ones. The purpose of this investigation was to observe the behavior of mother rats in conflict tests, which are frequently used in studies on the neurobiology of anxiety. In the punished drinking test, in which licking from a water spout is punished by electric shocks, mothers (observed on Day 1 postpartum following 24 hr of water deprivation) were found to drink more than virgins. Mothers (Day 1 postpartum) also consumed more food than controls in an unfamiliar open field. In contrast, no difference between mothers (Day 5 postpartum) and virgins was present in the exploration of an electrified shock probe. The largest maternal anticonflict effects in the drinking and feeding tests were recorded when the females were tested with their pups. Increased punished drinking was also observed in virgin rats treated with the anxiolytic benzodiazepine midazolam. Water-deprived virgins and mothers did not differ in the shock titration test, a result suggesting that diminished pain reactivity was unlikely to account for the increased punished drinking in mothers. Moreover, females in late pregnancy, which are hypoalgesic (Gintzler, 1980), did not lick more than virgins in the punished drinking test. Following 24 hr of water deprivation, unpunished drinking was higher in lactating females than in virgins, so the increased acceptance of punishment by mothers might have been due to their being more thirsty than virgins.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Lower prevalence of chromosome aberrations and SCEs in self-poisoned pregnant women

A cytogenetic investigation was conducted in 18 self-poisoned pregnant and 16 self-poisoned non-pregnant women and in 31 pregnant and non-pregnant controls. Blood samples for analysis of chromosomal aberrations and SCEs were collected from women who were at different early stages of pregnancy. The difference between self-poisoned women and controls was very highly significant in the case of chromatid-type and unstable chromosome-type aberrations and highly significant in the case of SCEs. Further, the frequency of chromatid aberrations in pregnant women relative to non-pregnant ones was significantly lower suggesting a possible protective effect of pregnancy.

Thyroid hormones, testosterone, and estradiol-17β in plasma of Epomops franqueti (Tomes, 1860) (Chiroptera) in the rain forest of the equator

Using Japanese catching nets a total of 77 males and 37 females of the fruit eating bat Epomops franqueti (Megachyroptera) were captured during a period of 1 year around Kisangani (Zaïre). Adult males with white epaulets weighing 143 ± 3.6 g (18) had their testes present in the scrotum and higher plasma concentrations of thyroxine (T 4) and testosterone than adult males without epaulets and with abdominal testes (weight 107.5 ± 2.0 g (39)) or juveniles (72.7 ± 2.8 g (20)). Mean embryo weight of pregnant bats was 4.26 ± 1.09 g (12) ranging from 1.8 to 14.8 g whereas body weight of mothers (+ embryos) was 117.0 ± 3.6 g (12). Body weight of nonpregnant bats was 107.3 ± 2.1 (10) and of female juveniles 74.6 ± 4.3 (15). Plasma concentrations of triiodothyronine (T 3) were lowest in nonpregnant adults and comparable in juveniles and pregnant bats. No difference in plasma T 4 concentrations was found between all groups. Estradiol-17β concentrations were three times higher in pregnant bats compared to nonpregnant ones or juveniles. A possible relationship between these high figures and elevated T 3 values has been discussed.

The effect of gestation and of protein quality on the nutritive utilization of protein.

A study was made of the effect of protein quality on gestation and on digestive and metabolic utilization in Wistar rats. The protein level of the diet was 14%, and the protein sources used were: casein, beans and a mix of beans and wheat, in order to complement the essential amino-acids deficient in both protein sources. Gestation increased food intake in the 3 groups of experiments, in which distinct protein sources were used. Protein quality did not affect food intake in the two physiological situations under study (gestation and non-gestation). In pregnant animals, the greatest weight gains were obtained with the casein diet, while in non-pregnant ones the weight increases were greater with the diet of beans and wheat. The smallest gains recorded were those of pregnant and non-pregnant rats fed a diet of beans. Gestation did not affect protein-absorption. The digestive utilization of protein was superior with the casein diet. The study of nitrogen retention showed: 1. The pregnant animals retained more nitrogen than the non-pregnant animals with all of the diets under study. 2. In pregnant animals, the greatest metabolic utilization took place with the casein diet, with little difference between the bean and bean-wheat mix diets, although in the latter it was slightly superior.

Size at maturity, reproductive cycle, fecundity, and depth segregation of the deep sea squaloid sharks Centroscymnus owstoni and C. coelolepis in Suruga Bay, Japan.

Specimens of the deep sea sharks, Centroscymnus owstoni and C. coelolepis, were collected from Suruga Bay, Japan to examine their reproductive habits. Size at maturity for both species was about 700mm TL in males and 1000mm TL in females. Neither species has a well defined breeding season. The reproductive cycle appears to extend over one calendar year. The ratio of males to females was approximately 1:1 for C. owstoni and 1: 2 for C. coelolepis. Litter size ranged from 16 to 28 for C. owstoni and from 15 to 29 for C. coelolepis. Total number of mature ova, fertilized ova and embryos tended to increase with size of the female. Females of both species displayed a well defined pattern of depth segregation by stage of maturity. The catch depths of pregnant females for both species were shallower than those of non-pregnant ones. However, pregnant females with full-term embryos were not caught in shallow waters of Suruga Bay.

Insecticide tolerance of pregnant females of Glossina palpalis palpalis (Robineau-Desvoidy) (Diptera: Glossinidae)

AbstractFemales of Glossina palpalis palpalis (Robineau-Desvoidy) caught in Nigeria were treated topically with acetone or different doses of insecticides. None was fed after treatment. Flies later larvipositing were considered to have been pregnant and those neither aborting nor larvipositing as nonpregnant. Pregnant flies were 1·3 times as heavy as non-pregnant ones. Relative tolerances were assessed by comparing LD50s. For organochlorines (DDT, dieldrin and endosulfan), pregnant females were 2·5—4 times as tolerant as non-pregnant ones, doubtless due to diversion of insecticideinto lipid-rich larval food during late pregnancy. Data for pregnant flies did not indicate any increased tolerance of organophosphates (malathion, fenitrothion, tetrachlorvinphos and pirimiphos-methyl), possibly due to the low lipid solubility of these insecticides.Pregnant and non-pregnant females were equally tolerant of the pyrethroid Sumithrin ((lR)-cis-trans-isomer of phenothrin); accelerated larviposition prevented diversion of insecticide into in utero larvae. Pregnant females were 2·6 times as tolerant of tetramethrin (pyrethroid) as non-pregnant ones. Twenty-five per cent, of flies treated with acetone or low insecticide-doses larviposited, but the results indicated that larviposition was inhibited by high doses of most insecticides, which killed before larviposition, and, noticeably, by intermediate doses of some pyrethroids (fenvalerate, permethrin and deltamethrin), probably causing prolonged paralysis of uterine and larval muscles. The results did not indicate there was raised tolerance of fenvalerate, permethrin or deltamethrin among pregnant females, but calculations including assumed pregnant ones (unrecognized due to inhibited larvipositions) suggested that pregnant females were 2·5–5·5 times as tolerantas non-pregnant ones. Other investigations showed that flies surviving for several days after treatment with pyrethroids can feed and thrive; if this allows time for the reversalof delayed larviposition, then pregnant females could be significantly more tolerant of some pyrethroids than non-pregnant ones.

The effect of pregnancy on the changes in hind-limb vascular resistance following haemorrhage in the rabbit.

The change in vascular resistance of the skinned hind limb perfused at constant flow has been measured following rapid removal of 10% of the blood volume in anaesthetized pregnant rabbits (27-29 days gestation) and compared with that of non-pregnant rabbits. 5 s after haemorrhage was completed vascular resistance had risen in all rabbits, but in the pregnant ones this increase was only one-fifth of that in the non-pregnant ones. After section of either the carotid sinus and aortic nerves or the sympathetic innervation to the hind limb the increases of vascular resistance at this time were abolished. It is concluded that the previously described diminution during pregnancy of the protective function of the baroreflexes during haemorrhage results, to some extent, from their diminished role in a vascular bed not associated with the reproductive process. The blood withdrawn was not re-infused for 10 min, throughout which, in all rabbits with sinus, aortic and sympathetic nerves intact, the increase in vascular resistance was sustained. After section of the carotid sinus and aortic nerves and the sympathetic innervation there was, during this 10 min, a slow increase in vascular resistance comparable in final size to that which occurred immediately in the respective innervated preparations, i.e. it was smaller in the pregnant than in the non-pregnant rabbits. A possible difference in action during pregnancy of a vasoconstrictor substance released during haemorrhage is discussed briefly.

Interpretation of oral glucose tolerance test: capillary-venous difference in blood glucose and the effect of analytical method.

Factors affecting the evaluation of oral glucose tolerance (OGT) test have been studied. The test was performed on 95 women pregnant at 30-32 weeks of gestation and to 112 control subjects (68 female and 44 male). Pregnant and non-pregnant subjects were further divided into two subgroups according to normal or abnormal response in glucose tolerance test. Venous (vB) and capillary (cB) blood specimens were collected simultaneously for blood glucose determinations. In one series the o-toluidine method and in another the enzymatic glucose dehydrogenase method were used. Inter-relations of capillary and venous blood glucose levels were examined with respect to gestation, glucose tolerance and analytical method. Mean venous blood glucose was higher than capillary blood glucose in fasting blood (0-sample) for all subjects, when o-toluidine (o-tol) method was used, but with glucose dehydrogenase (GDH) no significant capillary-venous difference was seen. At blood glucose concentrations after glucose intake (1 and 2 h) mean capillary glucose was higher in all subgroups when measured by GDH, but by o-tol method only in the non-pregnant subjects with normal OGT response. In pregnant subjects with normal or abnormal OGT response, and in non-pregnant ones with abnormal response, mean venous glucose was higher or of the same order as capillary glucose. These findings emphasize the need of standardization of the sampling procedures and of the analytical methods used for measurement of blood glucose concentration as well as demonstrate the possibilities of misinterpretation of OGT test results.

Effect of pregnancy on functions of circulating T cells from patients with systemic lupus erythematosus: Correction of T-cell suppression and autologous mixed-lymphocyte responses

Pregnant systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients with inactive disease were found to have normal spontaneously generated suppressor-cell function and slightly higher concanavalin A-induced suppressor function as compared to matched normal pregnant and nonpregnant females. In six SLE patients studied sequentially throughout pregnancy and postpartum, suppressor functions were found to fall sharply within the first week after delivery. One of these patients had been studied before she became pregnant and found to have a decreased suppressor function. Nonpregnant SLE patients had both suppressor functions diminished despite their disease being similarly inactive. This group was also the only one to have decreased responses in autologous mixed-lymphocyte cultures. Both pregnant and nonpregnant SLE patients had decreased absolute numbers of total lymphocytes, T cells, and their subpopulations, but the proportions of these cells were similar in all four groups. Despite this apparent normalcy of immune regulation, pregnant SLE patients had higher levels of C1q-binding immune complexes than did nonpregnant ones. Functional T-cell abnormalities found in SLE patients tend to be corrected by pregnancy. This may explain in part the disease remissions that occur in them during the second half of pregnancy.