[The kinetics of interleukin 1 and prostaglandin concentrations in human amniotic fluid]

In order to understand the role of Interleukin 1 (IL-1) in human amniotic fluid (AF), the amount of IL-1 in normal human AF at various gestational ages was measured using ELISA. Materials were divided into three groups based on gestational ages. Group 1, less than 22 weeks (n = 16), consisted of AF samples which were collected by amniocentesis. Group 2, greater than or equal to 36 weeks (n = 54), consisted of AF samples collected transvaginally at delivery. Group 3, greater than or equal to 36 weeks (n = 9), transabdominally collected AF samples from elective cesarean section without labor. IL-1 alpha was present in AF of early gestational age in group 1 and appeared to increase with gestational age in group 3. In contrast, IL-1 beta was not detectable in either group 1 or 3. However, the concentration of IL-1 in group 2 was extremely high (IL-1 alpha 201.0 +/- 299.3 pg/ml, IL-1 beta 1,024.1 +/- 1,321.9 pg/ml) when compared to the other groups. Moreover, the IL-1 alpha and IL-1 beta concentrations correlated with those of Prostaglandin E2 and F2 alpha in AF, measured by RIA. These findings suggest that IL-1 has an important role during pregnancy and during labor in particular.