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

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the placental passage of granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor in a placental perfusion 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 colony-stimulating factor was added to the maternal perfusion medium in concentrations from 10-55 mu g/mL. Maternal and fetal samples were taken, and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: Accumulation of granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor in 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 results suggesting that administration of recombinant granulocyte growth factors to pregnant women with imminent preterm delivery helps prevent neonatal sepsis. (J Soc Gynecol Investig 1999;6:307-10) Copyright (C) 1999 by the Society for Gynecologic Investigation.