Considering the abovementioned reports and our findings, in which we demonstrated that the gal-1 concentration is significantly decreased in patients with pPROM in comparison to the gestational-age-matched controls, this hypothesis may be accurate, suggesting that the presence of galectins in the maternal circulation constitutes a consequence of leakage from the placental tissue. The gene discussed is LGALS1; the disease is preterm premature rupture of the membranes.