Systemic interleukin-10 concentrations do not alter between the first and second trimester in normal pregnancy.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Interleukin 10 (IL-10) is involved in normal fecundity and systemic IL-10 changes during gestation might reflect an immunologic shift at the maternal-fetal interface. METHODS: Serum IL-10 levels were measured in the first and second trimester of uncomplicated pregnancy in 32 women. The low interassay coefficient of variation of the low adjustor of the IL-10 assay (5.2%) enabled us to detect IL-10 concentrations between 0.50 pg/ml and 4.0 pg/ml. RESULTS: There was no statistically significant difference between serum IL-10 levels in the first trimester (median 1.10; range 0.53-4.60 pg/ml) and second trimester (median 1.05; range 0.64-3.30 pg/ml). CONCLUSION: IL-10 is not systemically activated to a detectable degree between the first and second trimester of normal pregnancy.