Human parvovirus B19 (B19) is harmful during pregnancy since it can be vertically transmitted to the developing fetus. In addition, the anti-B19 antibodies induced by B19 infection are believed to have a cytopathic role in B19 transmission; however, knowledge regarding the effects of anti-B19 antibodies during pregnancy is limited. To investigate the possible roles of anti-B19 antibodies during pregnancy, the present study examined the effects of anti-B19-VP1 unique region (VP1u), anti-B19-VP2 and anti-B19-nonstructural protein 1 (NS1) immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies on BeWo trophoblasts. Briefly, BeWo trophoblasts were incubated with purified IgG against B19-VP1u, B19-VP2 and B19-NS1. Subsequently, the expression of surface proteins and apoptotic molecules were assessed in BeWo trophoblasts using flow cytometry, ELISA and western blotting. The expression levels of human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-G were significantly increased on BeWo trophoblasts treated with rabbit anti-B19-VP1u IgG, and were unchanged in those treated with rabbit anti-B19-NS1 and anti-B19-VP2 IgG, as compared with the control group. Furthermore, the expression levels of globoside (P blood group antigen) and cluster of differentiation (CD) 29 (beta 1 integrin) were significantly increased in BeWo trophoblasts treated with rabbit anti-B19-NS1 and anti-B19-VP2 IgG, whereas only CD29 was also significantly increased in cells treated with anti-B19-VP1u IgG. In addition, the number of cells at sub-G(1) phase; caspase-3 activity; and the expression of intrinsic and extrinsic apoptotic molecules, including Fas-associated death domain protein, activated caspase-8, activated caspase-3, B-cell lymphoma 2-associated X protein, cytochrome c, apoptotic peptidase activating factor 1 and activated caspase-9, were significantly increased in BeWo trophoblasts treated with anti-B19-VP1u and anti-B19-NS1 IgG. In conclusion, the present study demonstrated that antibodies against B19 may have a crucial role in pathological processes during pregnancy. These findings may help to elucidate the mechanisms underlying transmission of the B19 virus during pregnancy.