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Papers And Originals

Immunological Responses in Pregnancy and Survival of Fetal Homograft

Br Med J 1972; 3 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.3.5819.150 (Published 15 July 1972) Cite this as: Br Med J 1972;3:150
  1. Ronald Finn,
  2. C. A. St. Hill,
  3. A. Jane Govan,
  4. I. G. Ralfs,
  5. Frances J. Gurney,
  6. Vivien Denye

    Abstract

    Immunological responses were studied in pregnant women and controls using as tests phytohaemagglutinin-induced lymphocyte transformation and the tuberculin reaction. Significantly reduced responses were found to both tests in the pregnant women. These results suggest that a reduction in T-cell activity during pregnancy may help protect the fetus from rejection by its mother's immunological mechanisms.