Susceptibility
to and severity of gingival inflammation are enhanced during pregnancy;
however, regulation of oral innate immune response, including
antimicrobial peptides, during pregnancy is still unknown. We analysed
salivary levels of human beta-defensin (hBD)-1, -2, -3, and human
neutrophil peptide (HNP)-1 in pregnant women, and related those to their
periodontal status.

In
this cohort study, 30 generally healthy, non-smoking Caucasian women
without periodontitis were followed at three time points during
pregnancy and twice post-partum. The non-pregnant group consisted of 24
women, who were examined three times at the following months. At each
visit, periodontal status was recorded and stimulated saliva samples
were collected. Salivary estradiol, progesterone, and defensin
concentrations were measured by ELISA assays.

After
adjusting for visible plaque and gingival bleeding, reduced salivary
concentrations of hBD-1, hBD-2, and HNP-1 were found especially during
the third trimester, whereas hBD-3 concentrations did not change during
pregnancy and post-partum visits. Weak associations were observed
between salivary defensin and hormone concentrations and clinical
parameters.

There
seems to be an independent regulation cascade for each antimicrobial
defensin in the oral cavity during pregnancy, despite of the
similarities between these antimicrobial peptides.