Indicative markers of cell proliferation and apoptosis during the perinatal period.

Tissue polypeptide-specific antigen (TPS), an indicative marker of cell proliferation and soluble Fas (sFas), an antiapoptotic molecule were determined in neonatal serum (day 1-N1 and day 4-N4 of life), compared with maternal serum (MS) and umbilical cord serum (UC) to study changes of these markers during the perinatal period. Serum TPS and sFas concentrations were measured in 33 healthy, termed neonates, their mothers and 25 healthy nonpregnant controls (CS), age-matched to the mothers. TPS serum concentrations were significantly elevated in N1 and N4 as compared to CS (p < 0.