Cytochemical profile of peripheric blood lymphocytes in 7 to 27 weeks' pregnancy

A comparative study of alpha-naphthyl (nonspecific) esterase (ANAE), acid phosphatase (AcP), and beta-glucuronidase (beta-GLUS) in the blood lymphocytes was carried out on 26 healthy pregnant women (7 to 27 weeks' amenorrhea) and on 32 normal nonpregnant women, all 58 of whom were 19 to 34 years old. In pregnant women, we found a significantly lower percentage of ANAE-positive lymphocytes (after 11 weeks' amenorrhea), a strong reduction in AcP, and a slight decrease in beta-GLUS. The modified enzyme levels of circulating lymphocytes in the early stages of pregnancy seem to be related to the depressed cell-mediated immunity.