Production of some angiogenic factors and cytokines during physiological and complicated pregnancy, depending on the fetus sex

Objective of the study was to evaluate the levels of certain vascular-endothelial factors and cytokines in women at various stages of uncomplicated pregnancy, depending on the gender of the fetus. Materials and methods. 1101 pregnant women were examined. Group 1 st with physiological pregnancy included 584 women, among them 280 women were pregnant with female fetuses and 304 were pregnant with male fetuses. Group 2 nd with placental dysfunction included 517 pregnant women (253 pregnant women with female fetuses and 264 with male fetuses). Serum levels of epidermal growth factor (EGF), vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A), tumor necrosis factor α (TNF- α ), placental growth factor (PLGF), endothelin-1 (ET-1) and interleukins (IL-1, IL-6, IL-10, IL-12) were determined using ELISA method in the second and third trimesters of pregnancy. Results. Statistically significant differences in the levels of some angiogenic factors and cytokines were revealed in pregnant women with uncomplicated gestation and placental dysfunction, depending on the sex of the fetus: in the case of the female gender, their higher levels were revealed, which indicates a more pronounced activity of the mother’s immune system during gestational adjustment with this form of fetal gender. With placental dysfunction, a decrease in the levels of certain cytokines is noted.