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Maternal cortisol disproportionately impacts fetal growth in male offspring: evidence from the Philippines

Zaneta M Thayer1, Alan B Feranil, Christopher W Kuzawa

  • 1Department of Anthropology, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, USA.

American Journal of Human Biology : the Official Journal of the Human Biology Council
|November 29, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Lower birth weight in mothers is linked to higher evening cortisol levels, which independently predicts lower offspring birth weight, particularly in males. This suggests a generational cycle influenced by maternal stress hormones.

Area of Science:

  • Endocrinology
  • Reproductive Health
  • Human Development

Background:

  • Intergenerational recurrence of low birth weight (BW) suggests underlying mechanisms.
  • Cortisol elevation in mothers born small may contribute to fetal growth restriction.
  • Understanding these pathways is crucial for addressing BW disparities.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the relationship between maternal BW and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis function in nonpregnant women.
  • To determine if HPA function predicts offspring BW.
  • To explore sex-specific effects in these relationships.

Main Methods:

  • Multiple regression analysis was used.
  • Data from 488 women in the Cebu Longitudinal Health and Nutrition Survey were analyzed.
  • Maternal BW, adult salivary cortisol profiles, and recalled offspring BW were assessed.

Main Results:

  • Maternal BW inversely correlated with adult evening cortisol levels (P < 0.04).
  • Both maternal BW and evening cortisol were stronger predictors of male offspring BW.
  • Elevated evening cortisol and lower maternal BW independently predicted lower offspring BW, especially in males.

Conclusions:

  • Lower maternal BW predicts higher adult evening cortisol.
  • Elevated evening cortisol and lower maternal BW are independent predictors of lower offspring BW, with a significant effect in males.
  • Sex differences in stress hormone sensitivity may explain stronger BW-offspring BW links in males.
Abstract

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