Higher HPA axis activity in healthy participants compared to depressed patients after MR blockade: Evidence for attenuated MR function in depression

Abstract

tion about the concentrations before the 12th week of pregnancy is missing. Methods: The aim of this pilot study was to verify whether the sensitivity of a newly developed enzyme immunoassay of IBL International is sufficient for the determination of salivary estriol during very early pregnancy (N=25, 6th–12th week). Saliva samples were collected weekly between 10:00 am and 14.00 pm. Results: Salivary estriol was detectable from the beginning of the 6th week of pregnancy (M=3.17pg/ml, SD=2.13) and the concentrations ranged from .10 to 10.94 pg/ml. Salivary estriol concentrations showed a steep significant increase between the 10th and the 11th gestational week (t(11) =−3.847, p< .01). Conclusion: With the new enzyme immunoassay low concentrations of salivary estriol can be measured during very early pregnancy. Concordant with blood concentrations, salivary estriol starts to increase by the 10th week, when under stimulation of ACTH the placenta takes over the production of estriol from the corpus luteum. Salivary estriol may therefore serve as a promising marker for future research on the mechanisms and consequences of prenatal stress during very early pregnancy.