Study on Pregnancy Hormones and Long-term Health Risks

Overview of the Research

A recent study published in the *Maternal and Child Health Journal* investigated the key factors impacting pregnancy hormone levels in a large, diverse cohort of expectant mothers. The findings indicate that embryos exposed to elevated levels of pregnancy hormones may face a higher risk of developing reproductive system cancers later in life. This includes conditions such as prostate cancer, polycystic ovary syndrome, endometriosis, and reduced semen quality. Additionally, the levels of these hormones may influence the mother’s risk of developing breast and ovarian cancers.

Understanding Pregnancy Hormones

Pregnancy hormones, primarily estrogen and testosterone, are classified as steroids. The concentration of these hormones at various stages of pregnancy significantly affects health outcomes for both the mother and the fetus throughout their lives. Dr. Emily Barrett, an obstetrician and professor at the University of Rochester’s Department of Epidemiology and the Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences Institute, focuses on the disruption of hormonal balance during pregnancy.

Significance of Hormones in Early Development

In a recent press release, Dr. Barrett stated, “Hormones in early development play a key role in human health and disease risk. Since we are unable to directly measure hormones in fetuses as they are developing, the next best way is to study the mother’s hormones since they can be transferred to the fetus.”

Study Methodology

To identify factors contributing to elevated pregnancy hormone levels, Barrett and her team studied nearly 600 pregnant women, averaging 31 years of age, who were predominantly white, educated, and in their first trimester. The study, published in the *Maternal and Child Health Journal*, involved recruiting participants over two years and collecting data through questionnaires across each trimester. Participants provided information about their demographics, health history, lifestyle habits, including smoking and alcohol consumption, and any stressors during pregnancy. Blood samples were taken during early pregnancy screenings to identify and analyze hormone levels using mass spectrometry for precise results.

Key Findings on Hormone Levels

The study revealed that younger women of color and those with higher body weight exhibited elevated pregnancy hormone levels. Conversely, older mothers who were not having their first child showed lower levels of estrogen and testosterone. Notably, heavier women had lower estrogen levels but higher testosterone levels. The research also found that Black mothers had the highest testosterone levels among all racial groups. This disparity may help explain the higher breast cancer mortality rates among Black women compared to white women, despite similar disease incidence rates. Interestingly, lifestyle factors such as smoking (approximately 8%) and alcohol consumption (around 5%) did not correlate with hormone levels. Additionally, stressors during pregnancy and the sex of the baby did not impact the measured parameters.

Genetic Influences on Hormone Variations

The findings suggest that genetic factors, rather than environmental influences, play a significant role in predicting variations in pregnancy hormone levels, which may further correlate with reproductive health issues in both mothers and children. Dr. Barrett emphasized, “Characterizing sex steroid concentrations during pregnancy may yield important insights into the mother’s own future risk of disease as high levels of exposure to estrogen have been shown to increase the risk for breast and ovarian cancer later on.”

Reference

Barrett ES, Mbowe O, Thurston SW, Butts S, Wang C, Nguyen R, Bush N, Redmon JB, Sheshu S, Swan SH, Sathyanarayana S. Predictors of Steroid Hormone Concentrations in Early Pregnancy: Results from a Multi-Center Cohort. Maternal and Child Health Journal. 2019.

Author

Written by Marina Chemerovski-Glikman, PhD.