Oxytocin and Epstein‐Barr virus

Stress biomarkers in the postpartum period among first‐time mothers from São Paulo, Brazil

Bibliographic Data

ID19458593
AuthorsAlanna E F Rudzik (0000-0003-2263-5376, Department of Anthropology Durham University Durham DH1 3LE United Kingdom, corresponding author), Alicia Breakey (Department of Human Evolutionary Biology Harvard University 11 Divinity Avenue Cambridge MA 02138), Alicia A Breakey (Harvard University), R G Bribiescas (0000-0002-8228-307X, Yale University)
Year2014
Volume26
Issue1
Pages43-50
Publication date2014-01-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueAmerican Journal of Human Biology (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1042-0533 • E-ISSN: 1520-6300
PublisherWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1002/ajhb.22489
PMID24265252
OpenAlexW2129900478
LanguageEN
Citations received3
References cited43

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of the study was to examine the relationship between self-reported stress levels among new mothers in São Paulo, Brazil and two biomarkers of stressful experience, oxytocin (OT) and Epstein-Barr Virus antibody level (EBV-ab), with planned pregnancy hypothesized as a moderator of biological response to stressful conditions. METHODS: Sixty-three first-time mothers between the ages of 15 and 45 were recruited from neighborhoods in São Paulo, Brazil. Quantitative and qualitative data were collected longitudinally, bi-weekly between two and 12 weeks postpartum. OT level was assessed from breast milk samples and EBV-ab from blood spot samples. An Interpersonal Satisfaction scale was developed, validated, and administered, along with the Cohen perceived stress scale (PSS). RESULTS: In-depth interview data revealed unplanned pregnancy to be a significant stressor in the lives of first-time mothers. In linear regression, OT level was negatively associated with interpersonal satisfaction score (P = 0.022) and positively associated with PSS score (P = 0.007). When splitting the sample by planned status of the pregnancy, women with an unplanned pregnancy showed a strengthened positive association between OT level and PSS (P = 0.001; Adj R(2) = 0.44) and negative association with interpersonal satisfaction (P = 0.017; Adj R(2) = 0.15), while no associations existed for women with a planned pregnancy. EBV-ab level was not correlated or associated with stress/satisfaction measures. CONCLUSION: OT is an effective biomarker in the measurement of stress in the body, and additionally reflects differential experiences with difficult interpersonal circumstances, such as unplanned pregnancy. By contrast, EBV-ab failed to reflect differences in self-reported stress levels between mothers

Biology · Biomarker · Obstetrics · Perceived Stress Scale · Postpartum period · Pregnancy · Stressor · Clinical Psychology · Demography · Maternal Mental Health During Pregnancy and Postpartum · Medicine · Neuroendocrine regulation and behavior · Psychology · Stress Responses and Cortisol

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