Transplacental Transmission of Endogenous Interferon in Pregnant Mice inoculated with Influenza or Newcastle Disease Viruses

Abstract

THE possibility of intrauterine infection transmitted from affected mother to foetus has been established by both clinical^7,11 and experimental^3,6,9,10 investigations. Inoculation of pregnant animals with pathogenic viruses often brings about foetal infection resulting in impaired intrauterine development. When non-pathogenic strains are used, however, pregnancy may proceed normally and result in the birth of healthy offspring⁴. It has been demonstrated repeatedly that viruses with low pathogenicity for animals are effective producers of endogenous interferon. Preliminary administration of such interferon inducers has been shown to promote non-specific protection in animals against inoculation of lethal viruses^5,8.