Effects of Maternal Immune System Status on Neonate’s Immune System

Background: This study evaluated the effects of the maternal immune system stimulation or suppression during the pregnancy on the development of the neonate’s immune system. Methods: A total of 20 female rats were divided into four groups. The groups were treated using Leishmania major, Salmonella typhimurium, Tacrolimus, and sterilized normal saline. The animals were mated after 3-time treatments. The neonate’s humoral immune response, total body, thymus, liver, spleen weight, and histology were determined in this study. Results: The spleen’s mean weight of the two-month-old samples showed a significant reduction in the Salmonella group; in addition, the Tacrolimus group had a significant reduction in liver mean weight. The Salmonella and Tacrolimus groups showed a significant reduction (P≤0.05) in the anti-sheep red blood cells antibody titer. Conclusion: Stimulation or suppression of the immune responses during the pregnancy has significant effects on the neonate’s immune responses, spleen, liver, and thymus development.