Interleukin-1 receptor antagonist in human cervicovaginal fluid in term pregnancy and labor

Abstract

Objective: The objective of the study was to investigate temporal changes in interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra) in human cervicovaginal fluid (CVF) in term pregnancy and labor. Study Design: CVF was collected weekly from 155 multiparous women from 36 weeks' gestation until labor. High vaginal swabs were collected for microbiology assessment. Results: IL-1ra was decreased in spontaneous term labor, compared with 15-21 and 22-28 days from labor, and was significantly lower at 0-7 days, compared with 15-21 days before labor (P < .05, 2-way ANOVA). After subdividing the women, IL-1ra concentrations were 6-fold lower in women who had prelabor rupture of membranes at term than women who ha..