In the case of ascending infection, the pathogen agents, concentrated in the membranes and/or in the amniotic fluid, produce endotoxins and exotoxins, inducing the secretion of cytokines (tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-1a, interleukin-1b, and interleukins 6 and 8), arising a maternal and fetal inflammatory reaction. The gene discussed is TNF; the disease is infection.