Distress During Pregnancy: Epigenetic Regulation of Placenta Glucocorticoid-Related Genes and Fetal Neurobehavior.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

Increased risk of psychopathology is observed in children exposed to maternal prenatal distress, and elevated maternal cortisol and epigenetic regulation of placental glucocorticoid-pathway genes are potential mechanisms. The authors examined maternal distress and salivary cortisol in relation to fetal movement and heart rate ("coupling") and DNA methylation of three glucocorticoid pathway genes-HSD11B2, NR3C1, and FKBP5-in term placentas.

Method

Mood questionnaires and salivary cortisol were collected from 61 women between 24-27 gestational weeks, and fetal assessment was conducted at 34-37 weeks. Placental CpG methylation in the three genes was analyzed using 450K Beadchips and bisulfite sequencing; correlations between maternal and fetal variables and DNA methyl

SUBMITTER: Monk C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5026410 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature