Johanna Ruhnau1, Stephanie Hübner2, Sunny Donna2, Ittermann Till3, F Hartmann Michaela4, De Lafollie Jan5, A Wudy Stefan4,5, Heckmann Matthias2. 1. Department of Neurology, University Medicine Greifswald, Sauerbruchstraße, Greifswald, Germany. 2. Neonatal Neuroprotection Laboratory, Department of Neonatology and Pediatric Intensive Care, University Medicine Greifswald, Sauerbruchstraße, Greifswald, Germany. 3. Institute for Community Medicine, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany. 4. Paediatric Endocrinology & Diabetology, Laboratory for Translational Hormone Analytics, Steroid Research & Mass Spectrometry Unit, Center of Child and Adolescent Medicine, Justus Liebig University, Feulgenstrasse, Giessen, Germany. 5. Dept. of General Pediatrics and Neonatology, Center of Child and Adolescent Medicine, Justus Liebig University, Feulgenstrasse, Giessen, Germany.
Abstract
CONTEXT: Fetal zone steroids (FZS) are excreted in high concentrations in preterm infants. Experimental data suggest protective effects of FZS in models of neonatal disease. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to characterize the postnatal FZS metabolome of well preterm and term infants. METHODS: 24-hour urinary FZS excretion rates were determined in early preterm (< 30 weeks gestational age), preterm (30-36 weeks) and term (>37 weeks) infants. Pregnenolone and 17-OH-pregnenolone metabolites (n=5), and DHEA and metabolites (n=12) were measured by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Postnatal concentrations of FZS were compared with already published prenatal concentrations in amniotic fluid. RESULTS: Excretion rates of total FZS and most of the single metabolites were highest in early preterm infants. In this group, excretion rates approach those of term infants at term equivalent postmenstrual age. Preterm infants of 30-36 weeks had more than half lower median excretion rates of FZS compared to early preterm infants at the same time of postmenstrual age. Postnatal concentrations of FZS were partly more than hundredfold higher in all gestational age groups compared to prenatal concentrations in amniotic fluid at mid gestation. CONCLUSIONS: The excretion rates of FZS as a proxy of the involution of the fetal zone of the most immature preterm infants approached those of term infants at term equivalent. In contrast, the fetal zone in more mature preterm infants undergoes more rapid involution. These data in exclusively well neonates can serve as a basis to investigate the effects of illness on the FZS metabolome in future studies.
CONTEXT: Fetal zone steroids (FZS) are excreted in high concentrations in preterm infants. Experimental data suggest protective effects of FZS in models of neonatal disease. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to characterize the postnatal FZS metabolome of well preterm and term infants. METHODS: 24-hour urinary FZS excretion rates were determined in early preterm (< 30 weeks gestational age), preterm (30-36 weeks) and term (>37 weeks) infants. Pregnenolone and 17-OH-pregnenolone metabolites (n=5), and DHEA and metabolites (n=12) were measured by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Postnatal concentrations of FZS were compared with already published prenatal concentrations in amniotic fluid. RESULTS: Excretion rates of total FZS and most of the single metabolites were highest in early preterm infants. In this group, excretion rates approach those of term infants at term equivalent postmenstrual age. Preterm infants of 30-36 weeks had more than half lower median excretion rates of FZS compared to early preterm infants at the same time of postmenstrual age. Postnatal concentrations of FZS were partly more than hundredfold higher in all gestational age groups compared to prenatal concentrations in amniotic fluid at mid gestation. CONCLUSIONS: The excretion rates of FZS as a proxy of the involution of the fetal zone of the most immature preterm infants approached those of term infants at term equivalent. In contrast, the fetal zone in more mature preterm infants undergoes more rapid involution. These data in exclusively well neonates can serve as a basis to investigate the effects of illness on the FZS metabolome in future studies.
Authors: Donna E Sunny; Elisabeth L Krüger; Elke Hammer; Uwe Völker; Matthias Heckmann Journal: Oxid Med Cell Longev Date: 2022-05-09 Impact factor: 7.310