PsyPost
No Result
View All Result
PsyPost
No Result
View All Result
Home Exclusive Cognitive Science

Prenatal stress appears to have different effects on male and female offspring

by Roberta Jenkins
August 3, 2017
in Cognitive Science
(Photo credit: Jiri Miklo)

(Photo credit: Jiri Miklo)

Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Maternal prenatal stress has a bigger impact on female infants compared to male infants, according to a study recently published in Physiology & Behavior.

Scientists believe that unstable maternal mood during pregnancy causes an increase in cortisol, the body’s stress hormone. Excess cortisol crosses the placenta and can modify the developmental trajectory of the foetus. A multitude of studies have highlighted the effect of increased maternal cortisol and unfavourable outcomes, such as lower birth weight and shorter gestation period.

There have also been links to heightened maternal cortisol and emotional problems including anxiety, depression and psychopathy in childhood. However, the effects of maternal cortisol are not clear cut. Other studies have found no link to cortisol and developmental problems and some studies have found that the effect of cortisol on development depends on the point in the pregnancy at which the sample was taken.

In order to prevent and treat mental health difficulties later in life it is crucial to understand the underlying mechanisms by which cortisol influences a developing foetus. A team of scientists led by Elizabeth Braithwaite (University of Reading, UK) carried out a study that investigated how prenatal stress impacts on development during infancy.

In the study, 1,233 mothers collected saliva samples at 32 weeks gestation at three different time points in the day: on waking, 30 minutes after a walk and in the evening. Infants were assessed at 5 weeks old for negative emotionality.

The results showed that maternal cortisol samples taken upon waking correlated with increased irritability in female infants and decreased irritability in male infants. But, cortisol sampled later in the day showed no effect on irritability in both sets of infants. The findings of this study support current evidence that there are sex differences in the way foetuses are programmed to develop. A similar study found that female infants develop a more fearful temperament after being exposed to prenatal stress.

Overall, the study highlights the important role that maternal cortisol has on emotional development in infancy. The results of this study combined with previous research suggest that maternal cortisol has sex-dependent effects on developing infants.  The results from this study will be important for future research that focuses on the development of prevention and intervention strategies against the effects of prenatal maternal stress.

ShareTweetSendScanShareSharePinSend

Get all the latest updates on new psychology research with the free PsyPost app.
 


NEWSLETTER SIGN-UP

STAY CONNECTED

TRENDING

Children who play more video games show greater gains in intelligence over time, study finds

Young children are more irritable when their mother has emotion regulation difficulties

Psychopathic women who desire marriage are more likely to experience insults from their partner

New study suggests that psychopathic individuals tend to become even worse after age 50

New psychology research uncovers a “hidden source” of regret

Working past the age of retirement linked to improved physical and mental health – depending on the job

RECENT

Study finds contrapposto poses in male models influence perceptions of attractiveness and masculinity

Young children are more irritable when their mother has emotion regulation difficulties

Women who dress provocatively are judged negatively by other women due to perceptions of promiscuity

Working past the age of retirement linked to improved physical and mental health – depending on the job

New psychology research uncovers a “hidden source” of regret

  • Cognitive Science
  • COVID-19
  • Mental Health
  • Social Psychology
  • Drug Research
  • Conspiracy Theories
  • Meditation
  • Psychology of Religion
  • Aviation Psychology and Human Factors
  • Relationships and Sexual Health
Powered by

About

PsyPost is a psychology and neuroscience news website dedicated to reporting the latest research on human behavior, cognition, and society. (READ MORE...)

  • Contact us
  • Privacy policy

No Result
View All Result
  • About
    • Newsletter signup form
  • Cart
  • Checkout
  • Contact
  • Contact us
  • My account
  • Privacy policy
  • Psychology news
  • PsyPost app privacy policy
  • Shop
  • SmartMag Home

This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used.