HLA-G Antigen and Parturition: Maternal Serum, Fetal Serum and Amniotic Fluid Levels during Pregnancy

Abstract

sHLA-G1 antigen expression is higher in amniotic fluid than in maternal-fetal compartments and significantly decreases toward term. We speculate that the declining amniotic fluid sHLA-G1 levels may stimulate a maternal immunological response against the fetus and contribute to the initiation of parturition.