Background Traditional farming represents a unique model situation to investigate the relationship of early-life farm-related exposure and allergy protection. Objectives To investigate associations ...between maternal farm exposures and cytokine production in cord blood (CB) mononuclear cells in a prospective multinational birth cohort of 299 farm and 326 nonfarm children and their families. Methods Supernatants from phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate/ionomycin–stimulated CB mononuclear cells were assessed for the production of IFN-γ, TNF-α, IL-5, IL-10, and IL-12. Results Significantly higher levels of IFN-γ and TNF-α in farm compared with nonfarm children were found, whereas IL-5, IL-10, and IL-12 levels did not differ between study groups. Maternal contact with different farm animal species and barns and consumption of farm-produced butter during pregnancy enhanced the production of proinflammatory CB cytokines, whereas maternal consumption of farm-produced yogurt resulted in significant lower levels of IFN-γ and TNF-α in umbilical blood. Conclusion Maternal exposure to farming activities and farm dairy products during pregnancy modulated cytokine production patterns of offspring at birth.
