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Sobol M, Błachnio A, Plucińska E, Hryhorchuk I, Meisner M, Wdowiak A, Wdowiak N, Szczepaniak P, Jankowski KS. Associations of couples' balanced time perspective with maternal prenatal hair cortisol concentration and perceived stress. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2024; 168:107115. [PMID: 39002452 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2024.107115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2024] [Revised: 06/22/2024] [Accepted: 06/27/2024] [Indexed: 07/15/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The stress experienced by a woman during pregnancy not only has a negative impact on her well-being and physical health but also adversely affects the fetus. Stress is strongly linked with time perspective, defined as the tendency to focus on the past, present, or future. The study aimed to investigate how couples' balanced time perspective was related to maternal prenatal hair cortisol concentration and perceived stress in the first and third trimesters of pregnancy. METHOD The participants were pregnant women and their male partners (84 couples). Women completed online questionnaires: the Zimbardo Time Perspective Inventory (ZTPI), the Dark Future Scale (DFS), and the Perceived Stress Scale, while men completed online versions of the ZTPI and the DFS. These questionnaire measurements were conducted in the first and third trimesters. Maternal cortisol levels were measured in hair samples taken during gynecological visits, in the first and third trimesters. RESULTS The study revealed that the more unbalanced the partner's time perspective, the more unbalanced the pregnant woman's time perspective and, consequently, the higher the stress perceived by the pregnant woman. This effect was present in both the first (B = 1.06, SE =.36, p <.001, 95 % CI [.398, 1.826]) and the third trimesters (B =.98, SE =.36, p <.001, 95 % CI [.327, 1.774]). Moreover, the more unbalanced the partner's time perspective, the more unbalanced the woman's time perspective and, consequently, the lower the hair cortisol concentration in the first trimester (B = -.08, SE =.04, p <.05, 95 % CI [-.171, -.010]). Partner's unbalanced time perspective in the first trimester was also a predictor of stress perceived by the woman in the third trimester (t = 2.38, p <.05). CONCLUSIONS The results suggest the significance of the partner's time perspective for the pregnant woman's mental health. The partner's unbalanced, negative time perspective in the first trimester may increase the pregnant woman's stress in the third trimester. This effect can be even stronger than that of the woman's time perspective.
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Affiliation(s)
- Małgorzata Sobol
- Department of Psychology, University of Warsaw, ul. Stawki 5/7, Warsaw 00-183, Poland.
| | - Agata Błachnio
- John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin, al. Raclawickie 14, Lublin 20-950, Poland
| | | | - Inna Hryhorchuk
- Żywiec Hospital, ul. Pola Lisickich 80, Żywiec 34-300, Poland
| | - Michał Meisner
- Department of Psychology, University of Warsaw, ul. Stawki 5/7, Warsaw 00-183, Poland
| | - Artur Wdowiak
- Medical University of Lublin, Al. Racławickie 1, Lublin 20-059, Poland
| | - Natalia Wdowiak
- Medical University of Lublin, Al. Racławickie 1, Lublin 20-059, Poland
| | | | - Konrad S Jankowski
- Department of Psychology, University of Warsaw, ul. Stawki 5/7, Warsaw 00-183, Poland
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Tartour AI, Chivese T, Eltayeb S, Elamin FM, Fthenou E, Seed Ahmed M, Babu GR. Prenatal psychological distress and 11β-HSD2 gene expression in human placentas: Systematic review and meta-analysis. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2024; 166:107060. [PMID: 38677195 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2024.107060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2023] [Revised: 03/10/2024] [Accepted: 04/18/2024] [Indexed: 04/29/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The placenta acts as a buffer to regulate the degree of fetal exposure to maternal cortisol through the 11-Beta Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase isoenzyme type 2 (11-β HSD2) enzyme. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the effect of prenatal psychological distress (PPD) on placental 11-β HSD2 gene expression and explore the related mechanistic pathways involved in fetal neurodevelopment. METHODS We searched PubMed, Embase, Scopus, APA PsycInfo®, and ProQuest Dissertations for observational studies assessing the association between PPD and 11-β HSD2 expression in human placentas. Adjusted regression coefficients (β) and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were pooled based on three contextual PPD exposure groups: prenatal depression, anxiety symptoms, and perceived stress. RESULTS Of 3159 retrieved records, sixteen longitudinal studies involving 1869 participants across seven countries were included. Overall, exposure to PPD disorders showed weak negative associations with the placental 11-β HSD2 gene expression as follows: prenatal depression (β -0.01, 95% CI 0.05-0.02, I2=0%), anxiety symptoms (β -0.02, 95% CI 0.06-0.01, I2=0%), and perceived stress (β -0.01 95% CI 0.06-0.04, I2=62.8%). Third-trimester PPD exposure was more frequently associated with lower placental 11-β HSD2 levels. PPD and placental 11-β HSD2 were associated with changes in cortisol reactivity and the development of adverse health outcomes in mothers and children. Female-offspring were more vulnerable to PPD exposures. CONCLUSION The study presents evidence of a modest role of prenatal psychological distress in regulating placental 11-β HSD2 gene expression. Future prospective cohorts utilizing larger sample sizes or advanced statistical methods to enhance the detection of small effect sizes should be planned. Additionally, controlling for key predictors such as the mother's ethnicity, trimester of PPD exposure, mode of delivery, and infant sex is crucial for valid exploration of PPD effects on fetal programming.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angham Ibrahim Tartour
- Department of Population Medicine, College of Medicine, QU Health, Qatar University, P. O. Box:2713, Doha, Qatar.
| | - Tawanda Chivese
- Department of Population Medicine, College of Medicine, QU Health, Qatar University, P. O. Box:2713, Doha, Qatar
| | - Safa Eltayeb
- Qatar Biobank for Medical Research, Qatar Foundation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Fatima M Elamin
- Office of Research Ethics and Integrity, Qatar University, P. O. Box:2713, Doha, Qatar
| | - Eleni Fthenou
- Qatar Biobank for Medical Research, Qatar Foundation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Mohammed Seed Ahmed
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, QU Health, Qatar University, P. O. Box:2713, Doha, Qatar
| | - Giridhara Rathnaiah Babu
- Department of Population Medicine, College of Medicine, QU Health, Qatar University, P. O. Box:2713, Doha, Qatar
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Sörensen F, Kimmel MC, Brenner V, Krägeloh-Mann I, Skalkidou A, Mahjani B, Fransson E. Interactions of perinatal depression versus anxiety and infants' early temperament trajectories. Child Dev 2024; 95:721-733. [PMID: 38010823 DOI: 10.1111/cdev.14041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2022] [Revised: 09/05/2023] [Accepted: 09/18/2023] [Indexed: 11/29/2023]
Abstract
This study examines the interplay between maternal depression/anxiety and infant temperament's developmental trajectory in 1687 Swedish-speaking mother-infant dyads from Uppsala County (2009-2019), Sweden. The sample includes a high proportion of university-educated individuals and a low share of foreign-born participants. Maternal depressive and anxiety symptoms were assessed using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale during gestational weeks 17 and 32 and postpartum at week 6. Multinomial regression explored associations between maternal variables and infant temperament trajectories at 6 weeks, 12 months, and 18 months. Prenatal anxiety is associated with the high-rising infant difficult temperament trajectory, while prenatal depression/anhedonia is associated with the stable-medium trajectory, attenuated postpartum. Associations between infant temperament and maternal mood depended on timing (pre/postpartum) and symptom type (depression/anhedonia vs. anxiety).
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Affiliation(s)
- Ferdinand Sörensen
- Pediatric Neurology & Developmental Medicine, University Children's Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Innovative Neuroimaging, University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Mary C Kimmel
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
- Department of Psychiatry, Center for Women's Mood Disorders, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Vera Brenner
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Ingeborg Krägeloh-Mann
- Pediatric Neurology & Developmental Medicine, University Children's Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Alkistis Skalkidou
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Behrang Mahjani
- Department of Psychiatry, Seaver Autism Center for Research and Treatment, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Emma Fransson
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Centre for Translational Microbiome Research, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
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Galbally M, Watson S, Lewis AJ, Power J, Buus N, van IJzendoorn M. Maternal attachment state of mind and perinatal emotional wellbeing: Findings from a pregnancy cohort study. J Affect Disord 2023; 333:297-304. [PMID: 37062497 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2023.04.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2023] [Revised: 04/02/2023] [Accepted: 04/10/2023] [Indexed: 04/18/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Maternal attachment state of mind is an important potential predictor of risk and resilience to perinatal emotional wellbeing and early parenting. To explore maternal attachment in relation to perinatal depression and emotional wellbeing. METHODS This study drew on data collected within an ongoing cohort from 170 women recruited in early pregnancy, including 67 who met criteria for Major Depression. Maternal attachment state of mind was assessed with the Adult Attachment Interview (AAI) in pregnancy. Additional measures included the Structured Clinical Interview for the DSM (SCID), at 12 months the Strange Situation Procedure (SSP), Child Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ), Parenting Stress Index, and antenatal maternal hair cortisol concentrations (HCC). LIMITATIONS Sample size to be able to undertake all analyses using the 4 way classifications, cortisol measurement is limited to hair only and there is no prospectively collected measure of childhood trauma in mothers. CONCLUSIONS This study found that maternal attachment, specifically the Non-Autonomous states of mind, adjusted for clinical depression, was associated with higher cortisol in pregnancy and higher depressive symptoms across pregnancy and the postpartum. Furthermore, separately those with depression and Non-Autonomous states of mind also had higher postpartum parenting stress. There was no significant intergenerational concordance between AAI and SSP attachment classifications. Our findings support future research exploring the role of maternal attachment state of mind in understanding perinatal depression and emotional wellbeing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan Galbally
- School of Health Sciences, Monash University, Australia; Health Futures Institute, Murdoch University, Australia; Research Department of Clinical, Education and Health Psychology, Faculty of Brain Sciences, UCL, UK.
| | - Stuart Watson
- School of Health Sciences, Monash University, Australia; Health Futures Institute, Murdoch University, Australia
| | - Andrew J Lewis
- Institute of Health and Wellbeing, Federation University, Australia
| | | | - Niels Buus
- School of Nursing and Midwifery, Monash University, Australia; Department of Regional Health Research, University of Southern Denmark, Denmark
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Zhang F, Zhou J, Zhang S, Qin X, Li P, Tao F, Huang K. Impact of pregnancy-related anxiety on preschoolers' emotional and behavioral development: Gender specificity, critical time windows and cumulative effect. J Affect Disord 2023; 323:176-184. [PMID: 36471547 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2022.11.085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2022] [Revised: 11/21/2022] [Accepted: 11/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Studies on the gender-specific effect of PrA on children's emotional and behavioral development are limited. Lack of PrA data on the entire pregnancy had caused difficulties in identifying the key time window and cumulative effects. METHODS Based on Ma'anshan Birth Cohort in China, mothers at pregnancy and children followed up to 4 years of age were tested using the PrA questionnaire and the Achenbach Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) 1.5-5. Finally, 1699 mother-child pairs were included in the study and regression models were developed for analysis. RESULTS Children of mothers with PrA are at significantly elevated risk for abnormal mood/behavior at preschool age. Girls seemed to be more sensitive to maternal PrA than boys, mainly manifested in internalizing problems; The third trimester of pregnancy might be a critical time window when maternal PrA affected children's internalizing problems; Longer the duration women had PrA during pregnancy, more possibilities their children would have to develop internalizing and externalizing problems. LIMITATIONS The PrA questionnaire may be different from PrA questionnaires in other countries such as due to different cultural contexts. Findings need to be interpreted with more caution. Factors such as maternal postpartum depression and care practices of nursing staff were not considered. No data were collected on disease as well as caregiver emotional status, which also impacts the reporting and identification of emotional/behavioral problems in children. CONCLUSIONS Gender-specific and cumulative effect of PrA on preschoolers' emotional/behavioral development is observed. The third trimester of pregnancy might be the critical time window.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fu Zhang
- Department of Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China; Key Laboratory of Population Health Across Life Cycle(AHMU), MOE, Hefei 230032, China; NHC Key Laboratory of Study on Abnormal Gametes and Reproductive Tract, Hefei 230032, China; Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of Population Health and Aristogenics, Hefei 230032, China
| | - Jixing Zhou
- Department of Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China; Key Laboratory of Population Health Across Life Cycle(AHMU), MOE, Hefei 230032, China; NHC Key Laboratory of Study on Abnormal Gametes and Reproductive Tract, Hefei 230032, China; Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of Population Health and Aristogenics, Hefei 230032, China
| | - Shanshan Zhang
- Department of Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China; Key Laboratory of Population Health Across Life Cycle(AHMU), MOE, Hefei 230032, China; NHC Key Laboratory of Study on Abnormal Gametes and Reproductive Tract, Hefei 230032, China; Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of Population Health and Aristogenics, Hefei 230032, China
| | - Xiaoyun Qin
- Department of Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China; Key Laboratory of Population Health Across Life Cycle(AHMU), MOE, Hefei 230032, China; NHC Key Laboratory of Study on Abnormal Gametes and Reproductive Tract, Hefei 230032, China; Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of Population Health and Aristogenics, Hefei 230032, China
| | - Peixuan Li
- Department of Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China; Key Laboratory of Population Health Across Life Cycle(AHMU), MOE, Hefei 230032, China; NHC Key Laboratory of Study on Abnormal Gametes and Reproductive Tract, Hefei 230032, China; Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of Population Health and Aristogenics, Hefei 230032, China
| | - Fangbiao Tao
- Department of Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China; Key Laboratory of Population Health Across Life Cycle(AHMU), MOE, Hefei 230032, China; NHC Key Laboratory of Study on Abnormal Gametes and Reproductive Tract, Hefei 230032, China; Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of Population Health and Aristogenics, Hefei 230032, China
| | - Kun Huang
- Department of Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China; Key Laboratory of Population Health Across Life Cycle(AHMU), MOE, Hefei 230032, China; NHC Key Laboratory of Study on Abnormal Gametes and Reproductive Tract, Hefei 230032, China; Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of Population Health and Aristogenics, Hefei 230032, China; Scientific Research Center in Preventive Medicine, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China..
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Gene Dysregulation in the Adult Rat Paraventricular Nucleus and Amygdala by Prenatal Exposure to Dexamethasone. LIFE (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 12:life12071077. [PMID: 35888164 PMCID: PMC9316520 DOI: 10.3390/life12071077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2022] [Revised: 06/24/2022] [Accepted: 07/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
Fetal programming is the concept that maternal stressors during critical periods of fetal development can alter offspring phenotypes postnatally. Excess glucocorticoids can interact with the fetus to effect genetic and epigenetic changes implicated in adverse developmental outcomes. The present study investigates how chronic exposure to the synthetic glucocorticoid dexamethasone during late gestation alters the expression of genes related to behavior in brain areas relevant to the regulation and function of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis. Pregnant Wistar Kyoto rats received subcutaneous injections of dexamethasone (100 μg/kg) daily from gestational day 15–21 or vehicle only as sham controls. The amygdala and paraventricular nucleus (PVN) were micro-punched to extract mRNA for reverse transcription and quantitative polymerase chain reaction for the analysis of the expression of specific genes. In the PVN, the expression of the glucocorticoid receptor NR3C1 was downregulated in female rats in response to programming. The expression of CACNA1C encoding the Cav1.2 pore subunit of L-type voltage-gated calcium channels was downregulated in male and female rats prenatally exposed to dexamethasone. Collectively, the results suggest that prenatal exposure to elevated levels of glucocorticoids plays a role in the dysregulation of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis and potentially learning and memory by altering the expression of specific genes within the amygdala and PVN.
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Galbally M, Watson SJ, Lappas M, de Kloet ER, Wyrwoll CS, Mark PJ, Lewis AJ. Exploring sex differences in fetal programming for childhood emotional disorders. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2022; 141:105764. [PMID: 35462201 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2022.105764] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2021] [Revised: 04/06/2022] [Accepted: 04/06/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
In examining maternal depression, placental 11β-HSD2 mRNA expression and offspring cortisol regulation as a potential fetal programming pathway in relation to later child emotional disorders, it has become clear that sex differences may be important to consider. This study reports on data obtained from 209 participants in the Mercy Pregnancy and Emotional Wellbeing Study (MPEWS) recruited before 20 weeks of pregnancy. Maternal depressive disorders were diagnosed using the SCID-IV and maternal childhood trauma using the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire. Placental 11β-HSD2 mRNA was measured using qRT-PCR. For assessment of stress-induced cortisol reactivity, salivary cortisol samples were taken at 12 months of age. At 4 years of age, measurement of Childhood Emotional Disorders (depression and anxiety) was based on maternal report using the Preschool Age Psychiatric Assessment (PAPA) and internalizing symptoms using the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL). Maternal depression in pregnancy and postpartum, and infant cortisol reactivity, was associated with internalizing symptoms for females only. For female offspring only, increased 12-month cortisol reactivity was also associated with increased emotional disorders at 4 years of age; however, there was no association with placental 11β-HSD2 mRNA expression. In females only, the combination of lower placental 11β-HSD2 mRNA expression and higher cortisol reactivity at 12 months of age predicted increased internalising problems. These findings suggest there may be sex differences in prenatal predictors and pathways for early childhood depression and anxiety symptoms and disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan Galbally
- School of Clinical Sciences, Monash University, Victoria, Australia; Health Futures Institute, Murdoch University, Perth, WA, Australia; School of Medicine, University of Notre Dame, Fremantle, WA, Australia.
| | - Stuart J Watson
- Health Futures Institute, Murdoch University, Perth, WA, Australia; School of Medicine, University of Notre Dame, Fremantle, WA, Australia
| | - Martha Lappas
- Obstetrics, Nutrition and Endocrinology Group, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia; Mercy Perinatal Research Centre, Mercy Hospital for Women, Heidelberg, Victoria, Australia
| | - E Ron de Kloet
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Caitlin S Wyrwoll
- School of Human Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, Australia
| | - Peter J Mark
- School of Human Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, Australia
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Voegtline KM, Dhaurali S, Wainger J, Lauzon S. Ontogeny of the Dyad: the Relationship Between Maternal and Offspring Neuroendocrine Function. Curr Psychiatry Rep 2022; 24:297-306. [PMID: 35451797 PMCID: PMC9648681 DOI: 10.1007/s11920-022-01337-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW We review ontogeny of the maternal-offspring neuroendocrine relationship in human pregnancy. We present bidirectional genetic, physiological, and behavioral influences that enhance or disrupt HPA activity and its end product cortisol at the individual level and within the dyad. RECENT FINDINGS Consistent evidence supports that maternal mood and caregiving behavior are associated with maternal and offspring cortisol levels. Select studies support the buffering effects of antidepressant use and maternal positive affect on offspring cortisol. Growing research highlights evocative effects of fetal neuroendocrine activity, antenatal gene transfer, and infant behavioral distress and risk characteristics on maternal cortisol levels and dyadic attunement. There is potential to advance our understanding of the mother-offspring neuroendocrine relationship by consideration of other neuroactive steroids in addition to cortisol, and to consider developmental timing and measurement source in study design. Future study should emphasize in what context or for whom neuroendocrine attunement is adaptive versus maladaptive for mother and child.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristin M. Voegtline
- Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics,Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Department of Population, Family and Reproductive Health
| | | | - Julia Wainger
- Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics
| | - Sylvie Lauzon
- Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Department of Population, Family and Reproductive Health
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Daskalakis NP, Meijer OC, Ronald de Kloet E. Mineralocorticoid receptor and glucocorticoid receptor work alone and together in cell-type-specific manner: Implications for resilience prediction and targeted therapy. Neurobiol Stress 2022; 18:100455. [PMID: 35601687 PMCID: PMC9118500 DOI: 10.1016/j.ynstr.2022.100455] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2022] [Revised: 03/30/2022] [Accepted: 04/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
‘You can't roll the clock back and reverse the effects of experiences' Bruce McEwen used to say when explaining how allostasis labels the adaptive process. Here we will for once roll the clock back to the times that the science of the glucocorticoid hormone was honored with a Nobel prize and highlight the discovery of their receptors in the hippocampus as inroad to its current status as master regulator in control of stress coping and adaptation. Glucocorticoids operate in concert with numerous neurotransmitters, neuropeptides, and other hormones with the aim to facilitate processing of information in the neurocircuitry of stress, from anticipation and perception of a novel experience to behavioral adaptation and memory storage. This action, exerted by the glucocorticoids, is guided by two complementary receptor systems, mineralocorticoid receptors (MR) and glucocorticoid receptors (GR), that need to be balanced for a healthy stress response pattern. Here we discuss the cellular, neuroendocrine, and behavioral studies underlying the MR:GR balance concept, highlight the relevance of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) -axis patterns and note the limited understanding yet of sexual dimorphism in glucocorticoid actions. We conclude with the prospect that (i) genetically and epigenetically regulated receptor variants dictate cell-type-specific transcriptome signatures of stress-related neuropsychiatric symptoms and (ii) selective receptor modulators are becoming available for more targeted treatment. These two new developments may help to ‘restart the clock’ with the prospect to support resilience.
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Galbally M, Watson SJ, Spigset O, Lappas M, Walker S, Lewis AJ. Examining differences in placental efficiency following exposure to antidepressants and current depression: Findings from an Australian pregnancy cohort study. Placenta 2022; 119:44-51. [DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2022.02.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2021] [Revised: 11/22/2021] [Accepted: 02/02/2022] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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Chen Y, Lin D. Maternal depression and preeclampsia: Effects on the maternal and offspring's mental and physical health. HEART AND MIND 2022. [DOI: 10.4103/hm.hm_41_21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
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Caparros-Gonzalez RA, Lynn F, Alderdice F, Peralta-Ramirez MI. Cortisol levels versus self-report stress measures during pregnancy as predictors of adverse infant outcomes: a systematic review. Stress 2022; 25:189-212. [PMID: 35435113 DOI: 10.1080/10253890.2022.2059348] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Systematically review existing evidence to (1) identify the association between self-report stress and cortisol levels measured during pregnancy; and, (2) assess their association with adverse infant outcomes to determine which is the better predictor. A systematic review was conducted in accordance with PRISMA guidelines. Search terms focused on pregnancy, psychological stress and cortisol. Nine electronic databases were searched, in addition to reference lists of relevant papers. Eligibility criteria consisted of studies that included measurement of self-reported psychological stress, cortisol and assessed their associations with any infant-related outcome. Further limits included studies published in English or Spanish with human female participants. A meta-regression was not feasible due to differences in study samples, measurement tools employed, types of cortisol assessed and outcomes reported. A narrative synthesis was provided. 28 studies were eligible for inclusion. Convergent validity between self-report measures and cortisol was reported by three studies (range r = 0.12-0.41). Higher levels of self-report stress were significantly associated with intrauterine growth restriction (fetal biparietal diameter, low fetal head circumference, abdominal circumference), low gestational age at birth, low anthropometric measures (birth length, head circumference, length of the neonate), poor infant neurodevelopment (cognitive development) and potentially pathogenic gut microbiota (Clostridiaceae Clostridium, Haemophilus) in six studies. Higher cortisol levels were significantly associated with intrauterine growth restriction (fetal biparietal diameter, low fetal head circumference, abdominal circumference), low gestational age at birth, low infant birth weight, poor infant neurodevelopment (attention scores on the Network Neurobehavioral Scale) and low levels of potentially protective gut microbiota (Lactobacillus, Slackia and Actinobaculum) in 13 studies. Of the studies that assessed which type of measure was a better predictor of infant outcomes (n = 6), there was agreement that cortisol levels were statistically better at predicting adverse outcomes than self-reported stress. Self-report stress measures appear to be modest predictors of adverse infant outcomes in comparison to cortisol. A number of methodological limitations need to be addressed in future studies to help understand the relationship between cortisol and self-reported stress and how they are related to adverse infant outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rafael A Caparros-Gonzalez
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Nursing, University of Granada, Granada, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria ibs.GRANADA, Granada, Spain
| | - Fiona Lynn
- Medical Biology Center, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, UK
| | - Fiona Alderdice
- National Perinatal Epidemiology Unit, Nuffield Department of Population Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
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Oftedal A, Bekkhus M, Haugen G, Braithwaite E, Bollerslev J, Godang K, Thorsby PM, Kaasen A. Changes in maternal cortisol, cortisol binding globulin and cortisone levels following diagnosis of fetal anomaly. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2022; 135:105574. [PMID: 34741978 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2021.105574] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2021] [Revised: 10/18/2021] [Accepted: 10/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
The diagnosis of fetal anomaly can be a major stressor to the expectant mother. Current understanding of the relationship between psychological stress and cortisol in pregnancy is limited. This study examined: (1) differences in the ratio of serum cortisol to cortisol binding globulin (SC/CBG) and cortisone levels among women with and without a diagnosis of fetal anomaly, (2) the association between self-reported stress and cortisol from mid to late pregnancy, and (3) the agreement between two different techniques for analyzing cortisol: liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) and radioimmunoassay (RIA). Thirty-six pregnant women with a diagnosis of fetal anomaly (study group) and 101 women with healthy pregnancies (comparison group) provided blood samples and completed self-report questionnaires at gestational weeks 18-24 (T1) and 30 (T2). In the comparison group, mean SC/CBG increased from 0.341 nmol/L at T1 to 0.415 at T2 (p < .001), whereas in the study group there was no change (0.342 nmol/L at T1, 0.343 at T2). There was no difference in cortisone levels between the groups at either timepoints. There was a negative association between both depression and traumatic stress at T1, and SC/CBG at T2 (p < .05). There was no association between general distress and SC/CBG. The two methods for analyzing cortisol gave similar results, but with LC-MS/MS showing a lower detection limit than RIA. Increased cortisol with advancing gestational age is expected, thus these findings indicate that under certain conditions of severe stress there may be a suppression of maternal cortisol increase from mid to late gestation. The discrepancy does not seem to be due to differences in the metabolization of cortisol, as indicated by the similar levels of cortisone. Further research is needed in order to understand the potential underlying mechanisms limiting the expression of cortisol in response to certain types of stress in pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aurora Oftedal
- Oslo Metropolitan University, Faculty of Health Sciences, Norway.
| | - Mona Bekkhus
- Promenta Research Center, Department of Psychology, University of Oslo, Norway
| | - Guttorm Haugen
- Department of Fetal Medicine, Division of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Oslo University Hospital, Norway; University of Oslo, Institute of Clinical Medicine, Norway
| | | | - Jens Bollerslev
- University of Oslo, Institute of Clinical Medicine, Norway; Section of Specialized Endocrinology, Department of Endocrinology, Oslo University Hospital Rikshospitalet, Oslo, Norway
| | - Kristin Godang
- Section of Specialized Endocrinology, Department of Endocrinology, Oslo University Hospital Rikshospitalet, Oslo, Norway
| | - Per M Thorsby
- Hormone Laboratory, Department of Medical Biochemistry, Biochemical Endocrinology And Metabolism Research Group, Oslo University Hospital, Aker, Oslo, Norway
| | - Anne Kaasen
- Oslo Metropolitan University, Faculty of Health Sciences, Norway
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Fetal programming: could intrauterin life affect health status in adulthood? Obstet Gynecol Sci 2021; 64:473-483. [PMID: 34670066 PMCID: PMC8595045 DOI: 10.5468/ogs.21154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2021] [Accepted: 10/05/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Intrauterine life is one of the most important periods of life. As the development of the fetus continues, the mechanisms that affect adult health also begin to mature. With the hypothesis denoted "fetal programming," it is thought that the presence of endocrinological disorders, toxins, infectious agents, the nutritional status of a mother, and nutrients related to placental functionality all have an effect on future life. Therefore, the fetus must adapt to the environment for survival. These adaptations may be involved the redistribution of metabolic, hormonal, or cardiac outputs in an effort to protect the brain, which is one of the important organs, as well as the slowing of growth to meet nutritional requirements. Unlike lifestyle changes or treatments received in adult life, the early developmental period tends to have a lasting effect on the structure and functionality of the body. In this review, fetal programming and the effects of fetal programming are discussed.
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