Zinc homeostasis in immunity and its association with preterm births

Preterm birth is among the most common adverse pregnancy outcomes and is the leading cause of neonatal mortality and morbidity. While trace elements are essential for humans, their specific roles in the prenatal period remain unexplored. Zinc, a ubiquitous element, plays a pivotal role in protein synthesis, cell division, nucleic acid metabolism, apoptosis, ageing, reproduction, immunological and antioxidant defence mechanism. Although zinc quantities are very small in body tissue, it is involved in every conceivable biochemical pathway, which is critical for the performance of various functions necessary to sustain life. Owing to the multifactorial role of zinc, it is not possible to attribute a certain zinc-dependent mechanism in preterm births. Although the effect of zinc deficiency on immunity, its impact on maternal function and health as well as its role in the developing foetus is well documented, much less attention has been given to the understanding of micronutrient zinc homeostasis in immunity and its association with preterm births. Despite extensive research, the pathway by which zinc regulates pregnancy outcomes as well as the function of immune cells in controlling the delivery status (term/preterm) is still obscure. The present review aims to focus on the understanding of relationship of micronutrient zinc homeostasis in immunity and its association with preterm births.