Publisher's Synopsis
Various experimental procedures have been employed to elucidate the complex immunological materno-fetal interactions. However, they have often not provided clear information regarding the mechanisms responsible for protecting the conceptus against potential attack by the mother's immune system. This special issue, written by well-known researchers, presents a detailed analysis of controversial topics in the field. The papers deal with the following issues: the problem of immunological infertility in man; the unique properties of human placental trophoblastic cellular elements; the importance of comparing the immunogenetic relationship in different species; the role of suppressor factors and the transfer of nucleated cells from the fetus to the mother. Also included is an overview of the systemic and localised maternal and fetal immune responses during pregnancy. The overall message is that several, often independent, biological mechanisms, active at different stages of gestation, are responsible for the success of mammalian reproduction. As shown in this publication, some of these genetic and immunological mechanisms have now been clearly elucidated.
