The passage of granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor across thehuman placenta perfused in vitro

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the placental passa ge of granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor in a placental perfu sion model ex vivo. METHODS: In an open system, 11 placentas were perfused on both the maternal and the fetal side immediately after delivery. Granulocyte-macrophage colo ny-stimulating factor was added to the maternal perfusion medium in concent rations from 10-55 mu g/mL. Maternal and fetal samples were taken, and gran ulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) was measured by enzym e-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: Accumulation of granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor i n the fetal circuit averaged 2.42% of the concentration added initially to the arterial portion of the maternal circuit. CONCLUSION: There is only low transfer of GM-CSF across the fetal membranes . This finding is particularly remarkable in view of recently published res ults suggesting that administration of recombinant granulocyte growth facto rs to pregnant women with imminent preterm delivery helps prevent neonatal sepsis. (J Soc Gynecol Investig 1999;6:307-10) Copyright (C) 1999 by the So ciety for Gynecologic Investigation.