Related Experiment Video

Updated: Feb 1, 2026

Fetal Echocardiography and Pulsed-wave Doppler Ultrasound in a Rabbit Model of Intrauterine Growth Restriction
14:19

Fetal Echocardiography and Pulsed-wave Doppler Ultrasound in a Rabbit Model of Intrauterine Growth Restriction

Published on: June 29, 2013

28.7K

Quantification of fetal steroids in nails of neonates to quantify prenatal stress and growth restriction

Viola Schmelter1, Lena Antonaci2, Susanne Fröhlich3

  • 1General Pediatrics, Neonatology and Pediatric Cardiology, Heinrich-Heine-University, Moorenstraße 5, 40225, Düsseldorf, Germany.

Biological Psychology
|December 14, 2018
PubMed

Insights

Prenatal stress did not affect newborn nail hormone levels. However, intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) was linked to lower dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) concentrations in infant nails.

Area of Science:

  • Endocrinology
  • Developmental Biology
  • Neonatal Medicine

Background:

  • Prenatal stress and intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) can impact fetal development.
  • Hormone levels in newborns may reflect intrauterine conditions.
  • Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) are key fetal hormones.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between prenatal stress and IUGR with DHEA and DHEAS concentrations in newborn nails.
  • To explore nail DHEA and DHEAS as potential biomarkers for intrauterine conditions.

Main Methods:

  • Nail samples were collected from 56 newborns.
  • DHEA and DHEAS concentrations were measured using liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry.
  • Prenatal stress was assessed using the Prenatal Distress Questionnaire and Life Experience Survey.

Main Results:

  • Prenatal stress was not correlated with infant nail DHEA or DHEAS levels.
  • Infants with IUGR exhibited decreased concentrations of both DHEA and DHEAS in their nails.
  • Nail DHEAS concentration positively correlated with gestational age.

Conclusions:

  • Prenatal stress does not appear to influence DHEA or DHEAS levels in newborn nails.
  • IUGR is associated with reduced DHEA and DHEAS concentrations, suggesting altered fetal hormone activity.
  • Nail DHEAS levels may serve as an indicator of gestational age and intrauterine environment, offering insights into fetal programming.

Keywords:
DHEADHEASIUGRNailsNewbornPrenatal stress

More Related Videos

Moderate Prenatal Alcohol Exposure and Quantification of Social Behavior in Adult Rats11:01

Moderate Prenatal Alcohol Exposure and Quantification of Social Behavior in Adult Rats

Published on: December 14, 2014

10.3K
Modified Terminal Restriction Fragment Analysis for Quantifying Telomere Length Using In-gel Hybridization11:29

Modified Terminal Restriction Fragment Analysis for Quantifying Telomere Length Using In-gel Hybridization

Published on: July 10, 2017

13.5K

Related Concept Videos

Accessory Structures of the Skin: Nails01:05

Accessory Structures of the Skin: Nails

Nails are one of the important accessory structures of the skin. They are hard, protective structures that cover the dorsal surface of the distal phalanges of fingers and toes. Nails are composed of specialized keratinized cells and serve various functions, including protection, sensation, and manual dexterity.
The main components of a nail include the following.
Nail Plate: The nail plate is the visible portion of the nail that extends beyond the fingertips or toes. It is a hard, translucent...
3.3K
Restriction Enzymes01:11

Restriction Enzymes

Restriction enzymes are bacterial enzymes used to cut DNA in a sequence-specific manner. To cleave DNA, they bind to specific palindromic sequences called restriction sites. Such palindromic DNA sequences or inverted repeats are commonly found in regions of functional significance, such as the origin of replication, gene operator sites, and regions containing transcription termination signals.
The host bacteria protect their own genomic DNA from these enzymes by methylating these sites. Some...
36.0K
Fetal Circulation01:14

Fetal Circulation

Fetal circulation is a unique system that facilitates the exchange of gases, nutrients, and waste products between the developing fetus and the mother. This intricate process takes place through a special organ called the placenta.
Two umbilical arteries transport blood from the fetus to the placenta. At the placenta, the blood absorbs oxygen and nutrients while simultaneously eliminating waste products. This oxygen-enriched and nutrient-rich blood then returns to the fetus through one...
2.9K
Responses to Salt Stress02:02

Responses to Salt Stress

Salt stress—which can be triggered by high salt concentrations in a plant’s environment—can significantly affect plant growth and crop production by influencing photosynthesis and the absorption of water and nutrients.
14.6K
Quantifying Work02:30

Quantifying Work

As a system undergoes a change, its internal energy can change, and energy can be transferred from the system to the surroundings, or from the surroundings to the system.
24.4K
Cardiomyopathy IV: Restrictive Cardiomyopathy01:29

Cardiomyopathy IV: Restrictive Cardiomyopathy

Restrictive cardiomyopathy (RCM) is a rare heart muscle disease characterized by impaired ventricular filling due to stiffened ventricular walls, leading to significant diastolic dysfunction.EtiologyRestrictive cardiomyopathy can arise from both inherited and acquired diseases, many of which are systemic. It is categorized into four main types: infiltrative, storage, non-infiltrative, and endomyocardial diseases.Infiltrative diseases, such as amyloidosis, lead to RCM by depositing amyloid...
532