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Natural variation in gestational cortisol is associated with patterns of growth in marmoset monkeys (Callithrix
Aaryn C Mustoe1, Andrew K Birnie, Austin C Korgan
1Department of Psychology, University of Nebraska at Omaha, Omaha, NE, USA. amustoe@unomaha.edu
Insights
Prenatal cortisol exposure can impact fetal growth, leading to lower birth weights. However, marmoset monkeys show a catch-up growth period during adolescence despite early exposure to high cortisol levels.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive biology
- Developmental biology
- Endocrinology
Background:
- High prenatal cortisol levels are linked to reduced fetal growth and increased risk of adult diseases.
- Cortisol is crucial for prenatal maturation, but excessive exposure can have negative consequences.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between natural variations in gestational cortisol and fetal/postnatal growth in marmoset monkeys.
- To determine the impact of maternal cortisol exposure on offspring growth trajectories.
Main Methods:
- Urinary cortisol levels were measured during maternal gestation in marmosets.
- Marmoset body mass index (BMI) was tracked from birth to 540 days.
- Multi-level modeling analyzed the association between gestational cortisol and growth rates, controlling for covariates.
Main Results:
- Offspring exposed to higher intrauterine cortisol exhibited slower linear BMI growth rates shortly after birth.
- These offspring showed accelerated curvilinear growth during adolescence.
- Cortisol changes in the first trimester of gestation had a greater impact on postnatal growth than changes in the third trimester.
Conclusions:
- Gestational cortisol exposure significantly alters offspring developmental trajectories.
- A postnatal catch-up growth period may mitigate some early effects of elevated prenatal cortisol.
- The findings suggest an earlier developmental window is particularly vulnerable to maternal glucocorticoid exposure.
Abstract:
High levels of prenatal cortisol have been previously reported to retard fetal growth. Although cortisol plays a pivotal role in prenatal maturation, heightened exposure to cortisol can result in lower body weights at birth, which have been shown to be associated with adult diseases like hypertension and cardiovascular disease. This study examines the relationship between natural variation in gestational cortisol and fetal and postnatal growth in marmoset monkeys. Urinary samples obtained during the mother's gestation were analyzed for cortisol. Marmoset body mass index (BMI) was measured from birth through 540 days in 30- or 60-day intervals. Multi-level modeling was used to test if marmoset growth over time was predicted by changes in gestational cortisol controlling for time, sex, litter, and litter size. The results show that offspring exposed to intra-uterine environments with elevated levels of cortisol had lower linear BMI rates of change shortly after birth than did offspring exposed to lower levels of cortisol, but exhibited a higher curvilinear growth rate during adolescence. Average daily change in gestational cortisol during the first trimester had a stronger relationship with postnatal growth than change during the third trimester. Higher exposure to cortisol during gestation does alter developmental trajectories, however there appears to be a catch-up period during later post-natal growth. These observations contribute to a larger discussion about the relationship of maternal glucocorticoids on offspring development and the possibility of an earlier vulnerable developmental window.
