Factors Associated with Umbilical Cord Blood Derived Mononuclear Cells Banking in Morocco: A Preliminary Study

Umbilical cord blood (UCB) is commonly used as the main heamatopoietic stem cell (HSC) source for allogeneic transplantation. Immediately available when compared to bone marrow (BM), UCB is now widely processed and stored as rigorously qualified units. These units were firstly estimated before processing using specific criteria for the donor's choice, and by parameters such as Total Nucleated Cells (TNC), Mononuclear Cells (MNC), CD34+ cells and Colony Forming Units (CFU) for final processing. Appropriate assessment of factors related to maternal, obstetrical and neonatal variables showed these variables as the mainly contributors to a better UCB quality management. This preliminary study aimed to identify the effects of parameters such as maternal age, weight, gravid status, delivery mode, neonatal weight and gender on the MNC count in more 18 years old aged consent, and 33 full-term gravid donors. MNC count did not depend on gravid status and maternal age and weight as well as delivery mode and gender. However, neonatal weight and MNC counts appeared slightly associated independently to maternal age. This work might be helpful in developing and controlling procedures prior to UCB manipulation and would be improved for more UCB eligibility after bank creation.