Synopsis
A recent study highlights that high maternal stress hormone levels during early pregnancy can have lasting health effects on children, based on research conducted on wild monkeys in Thailand. These findings emphasize the significance of stress during critical developmental phases.Key Takeaways
- High maternal stress hormones affect children's health.
- Critical period identified during early pregnancy.
- Environmental changes can influence stress levels.
- Study conducted on wild Assamese macaques.
- Findings could inform preventive measures for health risks.
New Delhi, Jan 22 (NationPress) Elevated levels of maternal stress hormones during early pregnancy may lead to long-lasting health impacts on children, as demonstrated by a significant long-term study on wild monkeys released on Tuesday.
This research involving wild Assamese macaques in Thailand offers crucial understanding regarding how early life stages influence stress system development in natural settings.
Conducted by researchers from the University of Gottingen and the German Primate Center – Leibniz Institute for Primate Research, the findings reveal that the repercussions of stress can be observed up to the age of 10.
This study holds relevance as early pregnancy stress can similarly affect human health in the long run, potentially increasing susceptibility to stress-related disorders and immune issues.
The findings indicate that stress exposure enhances the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, a crucial component in managing stress, which can be profoundly affected by maternal glucocorticoids during developmental phases.
The initial half of pregnancy, particularly during the phase of organ differentiation, was identified as a critical period. “Our research indicates that the timing of maternal stress hormone exposure during and after pregnancy significantly influences the offspring's development and health,” stated Oliver Schulke, a scientist affiliated with the University of Gottingen and the German Primate Center.
It's noteworthy that these impacts do not necessitate extreme events; even slight environmental changes can suffice, Schulke added.
However, the study published in the Proceedings of the Royal Society B noted that heightened stress hormone levels occurring later in pregnancy or post-birth did not yield similar effects.
“Our findings may assist in identifying the timing and mechanisms that preventive measures should focus on to mitigate long-term health risks,” Schulke explained.
Unlike laboratory studies, this research monitored monkeys in their natural habitats. Over nine years, researchers collected fecal samples from pregnant females, analyzing glucocorticoid metabolite concentrations to gauge their exposure to environmental stressors such as food scarcity, temperature changes, and social dynamics.
These data were juxtaposed with stress hormone levels in the offspring at various developmental stages, revealing significant impacts on the offspring's stress axis from infancy through their juvenile years and continuing into adulthood at around nine to ten years of age.
