The regulation of phenotipic maturing of NK and NKT cells by reproductive hormones

It is established that estriol and progesterone (Pr) are the main inhibitors of CD3-CD16+ cells quantity in the first trimester of pregnancy. Pr determines the increasing of the NK cells level in the third trimester of pregnancy and its stimulating effect is negatively controlled by leptin. The NKT cell procent is regulated by reproductive hormones similarly: the level of the cells is decreased in the first trimester by chorionic gonadotropin and is increased till the end of pregnancy by estradiol.