Antibacterial Substances in Placentas and Serums of Mothers and Newborn Infants

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Abstract
When tested against 7 species of bacteria, maternal and cord sera and placentas showed bactericidal activity, particularly against the gram negative forms. The placenta and cord serum were active against the same organisms as the maternal serum from the same patient. The maternal and cord sera and placentas contained lysozyme, complement, and properdin. Usually the placenta and cord serum showed a higher concentration of lysozyme than the maternal serum. Placental preparations contained lower concentrations of complement and properdin than serums. Heating at 56[degree] C for 30 minutes causes a complete loss of bactericidal activity in placental preparations. Absorption with killed bacteria caused a loss of bactericidal activity generally against the absorbing organism only, and this specific bactericidal activity could be restored by addition of heated placenta. The placenta contains large amounts of the antibactericidal substances of blood but seems to have no detectable bactericidal substance of its own. Apparently it protects the fetus from bacterial infection largely by transmitting protective substances from the mother and''mechanically impeding the access of bacteria to the fetus.

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