A pilot prospective cohort investigating paternal hormonal changes during peripartum, depressive symptoms and...

The objective of this pilot study was to investigate hormonal changes (including testosterone, cortisol, and precursors or other hormones with similar biosynthesis pathways) among expectant fathers from their partners' pregnancy through 3 and 6 months postpartum, and to explore the correlation of hormonal changes with father-infant-bonding and depressive symptoms.

Fathers were recruited during their partner's pregnancy. Questionnaires were administered, and blood samples for hormone analysis were collected during pregnancy (n = 71) and at 3 (n = 52) and 6 months postpartum (n = 50). Hormones were measured using mass spectrometry. Depressive symptoms were assessed with the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) and Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS). Father-infant-bonding was evaluated using the Postpartum Bonding Questionnaire (PBQ).

We found significant hormonal changes in expectant fathers from pregnancy to 6 months postpartum, with notable decreases in dehydroepiandrosteronesulfate (DHEA-S), dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), and 11α-deoxycortisol levels. Higher depressive symptoms, measured by MADRS and EPDS, correlated with lower testosterone levels at 3 and 6 months postpartum. Poorer father-infant bonding, assessed by PBQ, showed significant correlations with lower testosterone at 6 months postpartum, and lower DHEA and progesterone at 3 months, particularly in aspects related to infant-focused anxiety.

This exploratory study identified hormonal changes in men associated with their partner's pregnancy and the postpartum period, which correlate with depressive symptoms and father-infant bonding. Further research is necessary to clarify the direction of these findings and to develop a comprehensive risk profile for vulnerable fathers.