Stressing about stress: Examining dental cortisol concentrations in teeth with dental enamel hypoplasia

The 'stress' hormone cortisol has recently been identified in human teeth, representing a potential method for assessing stress in past populations. In this study, dental cortisol concentrations were analyzed in teeth with dental enamel hypoplasia (DEH) to advance knowledge about this new method for detecting stress in archaeological skeletons.

Ten teeth with DEH were selected from nine individuals buried in the 'Brno-Vídeňská Street' cemetery (11th-12th century).

DEH were classified by type and number. Cortisol was assessed in circumpulpal dentine, primary dentine and enamel (n = 26) through enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

Cortisol was detected in eight of 10 teeth (80.0 %) and 15 of 26 samples (57.7 %), most frequently in enamel, with concentrations ranging from 0.011 to 0.194 μg/dL. Teeth with multiple linear or cuspal enamel hypoplasia were more likely to generate quantifiable cortisol.

This analysis demonstrates a possible relationship between cortisol and DEH, especially when multiple defects are present. However, many samples did not have detectable cortisol, suggesting further research is necessary to explore if and how cortisol relates or contributes to DEH formation.

This is the first study to examine cortisol concentrations in teeth with DEH, advancing cortisol research.

Sample sizes are small and included different tooth types with varying preservation.

Future research should investigate diagenesis and compare cortisol in teeth with and without DEH, focusing on enamel. Mass spectrometry will provide greater sensitivity in future analyses.