[Pregnancy and immune system. I. Immunological characterization of mononuclear cells during late pregnancy (author's transl)].

Lymphocyte preparations obtained from peripheral blood of 36 healthy pregnancy women during the last 4 weeks of gestation were tested for various cell surface markers (E-, EA- EAC-rosettes, surface Ig positive cells). 29 healthy, non-pregnant age matched women served as controls. The cell surface marker analysis did not show significantly different results in the two groups tested except diminished percentages of EA-rosettes in the pregnancy group. EA-rosettes-forming cells (Fc-receptor positive cells) are known to the effectors of spontaneous and antibody dependent lymphocytotoxicity. Therefore, slightly depressed lymphocytotoxicity may be expected during late pregnancy.