Effect of fetal sex on apoptosis-regulating proteins in trophoblasts of full-term human placenta.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: Pregnant women with female fetuses have higher maternal serum human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) levels compared to those pregnant women with male fetuses. Apoptosis in the placenta has a role in hCG secretion. In the present study, we examined the effect of fetal gender on apoptosis-regulating proteins in the trophoblast cells of human term placenta. STUDY DESIGN: 34 uncomplicated, singleton, term pregnancies, 17 had male and 17 had female fetuses, were recruited in the study. Apoptosis-regulating proteins of the trophoblast cells were measured by using immunohistochemistry for Bcl-2 and Bax. Staining index values were compared between the female and male pregnancies. RESULTS: There were no sex differences in Bcl-2 and Bax proteins. There were no correlations between maternal serum and cord blood hCG levels, and staining index values of two proteins in trophoblast cells. CONCLUSIONS: The difference in maternal serum and cord blood hCG levels in correlation with fetal sex is not associated with apoptosis-regulating proteins in the trophoblast cells of human term placenta.