It is now well recognized that the newborn infant has an increased susceptibility to serious bacterial infections and that these infections occur to a greater degree in male infants (Washburn, T.C. et al Pediatr.35: 57, 1965). The purpose of the present studies was to compare the functions of peripheral blood PMNs obtained from heel prick specimens(separated by dextran sedimentation) of 1-3 day old normal female infants with those of normal male infants. Chemotaxis of PMNs (CTX) to activated serum(C5a) was evaluated in a group of 9 infants, 5 females and 4 males. Production of superoxide (SOX) and hydrogen peroxide (HPOX) by phorbol myristate acetate stimulated PMNs, PMN adherence (AHC) and non-opsonic bacterial binding by PMNs(NOBB) were evaluated in a second group of 18 infants, 9 females and 9 males. The results are summarized in the following table and are reported as: CTX (# PMNs /high power field (HPF); SOX (nM/105 PMNs; HPOX (μM/105 PMNs; AHC (PMNs/10 HPF); NOBB (# infants with PMNs exhibiting ability to non-opsonically bind group B streptococcus or L. monocytogenes / total # infants) and significant differences are indicated by * (p ≤0.05). The results indicate that the PMNs from female infants had greater overall activity than those from males. This was particularly pronounced in assays of non-opsonic bacterial binding. Collectively, these studies suggest a gender-related difference in PMN function which could contribute to the increased susceptibility of the male infant to infections. This may derive, in part, from the modulation of PMN function resulting from elevated levels of hormones found in male infants at birth, e.g. testosterone.

Table 1 TABLE OF PMN FUNCTION
Full size table

Log in or create a free account to read this content

Gain free access to this article, as well as selected content from this journal and more on nature.com

Access through your institution

or

Sign in or create an account
Continue with Google
Continue with ORCiD