Fetal Physiology and Medicine

Abstract

This chapter focuses on the ontogeny of acquired immunity and maternofetal immunological interactions. As an essential factor in the ability of the individual to preserve the integrity of the body, the immune system must be functional from the moment of birth. This is achieved during fetal life not only by the development of specialized organs and the differentiation of immunologically active cells but also by the temporary acquisition of maternally derived immunity. The intimate association of the fetus with maternal tissues in the sheltered intrauterine environment also brings with it a serious problem. The fetus inherits from the father genetic characteristics that are foreign to the mother and hence presents her with an antigenic challenge that should be capable of eliciting immunological rejection. The chapter describes the complex and changing immunological interrelationships that are involved in the maintenance of the fetus as an intrauterine allograft and in the establishment of the immune defense mechanisms of the newborn. The chapter also discusses the development of the immune response and describes maternofetal immunological interactions.