Measurement of Hair Cortisol Throughout Gestation

Area of Science:

• Endocrinology
• Biomarker Analysis
• Pregnancy Research

Background:

• Cortisol is a key biomarker linked to various health conditions, including mental health.
• Existing cortisol measurement methods lack standardization, hindering cross-population comparisons, especially in pregnant women.
• Pregnancy involves unique metabolic and physiological shifts affecting cortisol levels.

Purpose of the Study:

• To establish and describe a standardized procedure for cortisol extraction and analysis in pregnant women's hair.
• To facilitate reproducible cortisol measurements throughout gestation.
• To explore the utility of hair cortisol as a biomarker in pregnancy.

Main Methods:

• Hair samples (3 cm) collected from pregnant women across three trimesters.
• Standardized isopropanol washing, followed by milling with zirconium balls.
• Four incubation cycles with HPLC-grade methanol and chemiluminescence immunoassay detection.

Main Results:

• Mean hair cortisol levels: 4.1 μg/L (1st trimester), 11.5 μg/L (2nd trimester), 6.6 μg/L (3rd trimester).
• Demonstrated variability in cortisol levels across pregnancy stages.
• Validated a reproducible extraction and analysis technique.

Conclusions:

• Standardized cortisol extraction enhances result reproducibility.
• Hair cortisol analysis provides a valuable tool for retrospective assessment of cumulative exposure.
• This methodology may support clinical integration for monitoring cortisol in pregnant women and the general population.