Effect of multiparity on T-cell proliferation response to mitogen stimulation in elderly women

The purpose of the present study was to investigate whether multiparity in women prevents some age-related changes in their cell function, as is known for age and sex. 49 women from the same village, free of acute inflammation or neoplastic diseases, were selected and divided into the following three groups: nulliparous 1935 years old, nulliparous 65 92 years old and multiparous (3-9 pregnancies) 65-88 years old. The response of their blood-lymphocytes to phytohaemagglutinin-P was estimated by thymidine uptake, number of mitoses and number of sister-chromatid exchanges. The stimulation index, mitotic index and proliferative rate in the aging nulliparous women were significantly lower than in the younger nulliparous women, but the latter group (young nulliparous) did not differ in their lymphocyte parameters assayed, from the values in the aging multiparous women breast-feeding their newborn. It is concluded that when the proliferative capacity to mitogen in elderly multiparous women (after 3-9 pregnancies) is related to breast feeding, it is similar to the proliferative capacity in young women. We suggest therefore, that breast feeding is beneficial not only to the newborns, but also to their mothers.