Salivary and serum immunoglobulin-A in pregnancy and its relation to the gingival condition

Thirty pregnant females in the three trimesters of pregnancy and ten controls were subjected to clinical dental examination together with estimation of salivary and serum immunoglobulin-A [Ig A] by the radio-immuno diffusion technique. The gingival index showed a significant increase in the third trimester while the plaque and retention indices did not show any statistical difference in the three trimesters of pregnancy. The serum and salivary IgA showed lowering in their values which may be due to an immune defect and/or the increased level of hydrocortisone or may be attributed to the depressed T-cell response associated with pregnancy