Serum concentrations of soluble Fas antigen and soluble Fas ligand in mother and newborn

We measured soluble Fas antigen and soluble Fas ligand, which are considere d to be an apoptotic substance, in maternal serum, umbilical cord serum and amniotic fluid during cesarean section at full term pregnancy. Seventeen h ealthy parturients with no fetal distress were studied. Soluble Fas antigen showed no different levels between these measurement sites. Soluble Fas li gand showed a difference, in which umbilical serum level was significantly higher than maternal serum and amniotic fluid levels, The present results s uggest high serum levels of soluble Fas ligand in newborn, However, the rea son for this evidence is entirely unknown.