Cytokine Levels in Whole Blood Cell Cultures of Oral Contraceptive Users and Pregnant Women

Abstract

The production of the cytokines IFN-gamma, IL-2, IL-1-alpha and TNF-alpha was investigated in the supernatants of mitogen-stimulated whole blood cell cultures from 52 oral contraceptive users, 33 pregnant women and 75 female controls. Cells from women taking oral contraceptives produced significantly less IFN-gamma (p≤0.05) and TNF-alpha (p≤0.05) compared to the controls. In the cultures of the pregnant women significantly lower levels of IFN-gamma (p≤0.01), IL-2 (p ≤0.001) and TNF-alpha (p≤0.01) were found than in those of the controls. Total and differential leukocyte counts were almost identical in all three groups of women. It is suggested, that lymphocyte and monocyte function as measured by cytokine production is altered in women taking oral contraceptives and in pregnant women.