The aim of this thesis was to gain a better understanding of the immunoregulatory mechanisms associated with maternal tolerance of the fetus during pregnancy. The distribution of decidual... Show moreThe aim of this thesis was to gain a better understanding of the immunoregulatory mechanisms associated with maternal tolerance of the fetus during pregnancy. The distribution of decidual leukocytes, specifically uterine NK cells and T cells, in the decidua basalis and parietalis were studied in the setting of normal term pregnancy, following elective cesarean section or spontaneous vaginal delivery, in the setting of complicated pregnancy, and in the setting of assisted reproduction, and to study the function of term decidual leukocytes, specifically proliferation and cytokine production, in response to fetal and allogeneic blood leukocytes. Techniques involving flow cytometry, immunohistochemistry and mixed lymphocyte cultures were used to perform these studies. Show less
