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The Effect of Mode of Delivery on T Regulatory (Treg) Cells of Cord Blood

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Abstract

Objective

To evaluate whether the mode of delivery (vaginal versus C-section) influences the levels of CD4+CD25+FOXP3+ Treg cells in cord blood and maternal peripheral blood and also to examine its relationship with plasma cortisol levels.

Methods

Newborns either born vaginally (n = 19) or via elective C- section (n = 20) and their mothers, as well as 20 healthy but not pregnant women, were included in the study. CD4+CD25+FOXP3 (Treg) cells were examined by flow cytometry. Total lymphocyte counts (TLC) and serum cortisol levels were also determined for all the groups.

Results

The percentages of CD4+CD25+FOXP3 cells and the serum cortisol levels of infants born vaginally (p < 0.004 and p < 0.0001) and their mothers (p < 0.0001 for both) were found to be significantly higher than those of newborns born by C-section and their mothers. Positive correlations were seen between CD4+CD25+FOXP3+ cells (r = 0.741) and serum cortisol levels (r = 0.468). No relationship was observed between newborns delivered by C-section and their mothers (r = 0.022 for both).

Conclusions

This study suggests that mode of delivery affects cord blood Treg cells. Higher CD4+CD25+FOXP3+ Treg cells of newborns and their mothers in vaginal delivery group and their relationship with serum cortisol levels suggest a stress phenomenon related to vaginal delivery.

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Conflict of Interest

None.

Role of Funding Source

Supported by Ankara University Scientific Research Project Department Project no; 2007080904HPD.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Medicine, Department of Pediatric Immunology-Allergy, Ankara University, Ankara, Turkey

    Alisan Yildiran, Deniz Guloglu, Figen Dogu, Meltem Arikan & Aydan İkinciogullari

  2. School of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Ankara University, Ankara, Turkey

    Engin Yurdakul

  3. School of Medicine, Department of Neonatology, Ankara University, Ankara, Turkey

    Saadet Arsan

  4. School of Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Ankara University, Ankara, Turkey

    Lugen Cengiz & Sevgi Tezcan

  5. School of Medicine, Department of Pediatric Immunology, Ondokuz Mayis University, 55137, Kurupelit, Samsun, Turkey

    Alisan Yildiran

Authors
  1. Alisan Yildiran
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  2. Engin Yurdakul
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  3. Deniz Guloglu
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  6. Meltem Arikan
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  7. Lugen Cengiz
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  9. Aydan İkinciogullari
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Correspondence to Alisan Yildiran.

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Yildiran, A., Yurdakul, E., Guloglu, D. et al. The Effect of Mode of Delivery on T Regulatory (Treg) Cells of Cord Blood. Indian J Pediatr 78, 1234–1238 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12098-011-0400-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12098-011-0400-6

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