[Immunological function of monocytes in pregnancy and the puerperium].

Many immunological parameters are depressed during pregnancy. We have performed functional studies on monocytes from puerperal mothers and found a diminished phagocytic capacity. In contrast, chemotactic function of monocytes, but not of polymorphonuclear cells, from puerperal mothers and pregnant women, was enhanced. This could facilitate their migration to tissues and their presence in milk where they make up a large proportion of the cells and can play an important role in protecting newborns against infection.