High ponderal index at birth predicts high estradiol levels in adult women

Jasieńska, Grażyna; Ziomkiewicz, Anna; Lipson, Stephen J.; Thune, Inger; Ellison, Peter T.

doi:10.1002/ajhb.20462

Cited by 68 publications

(47 citation statements)

References 51 publications

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“…The relationships between sex hormone levels, maternal pelvic morphology, fetal size, and pre/ postnatal development are complex and are topics of intense research (10,11,23,55,56). For example, it has been shown that females who are large at birth have comparatively high estradiol levels during adulthood (57). Estradiol levels also are influenced by diet and nutritional status (58)(59)(60) and are good predictors of fertility (61), and, likely, of adult pelvic shape (this study).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Developmental evidence for obstetric adaptation of the human female pelvis

Huseynov

Zollikofer

Coudyzer

et al. 2016

Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A.

163

143

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The bony pelvis of adult humans exhibits marked sexual dimorphism, which is traditionally interpreted in the framework of the "obstetrical dilemma" hypothesis: Giving birth to large-brained/ large-bodied babies requires a wide pelvis, whereas efficient bipedal locomotion requires a narrow pelvis. This hypothesis has been challenged recently on biomechanical, metabolic, and biocultural grounds, so that it remains unclear which factors are responsible for sex-specific differences in adult pelvic morphology. Here we address this issue from a developmental perspective. We use methods of biomedical imaging and geometric morphometrics to analyze changes in pelvic morphology from late fetal stages to adulthood in a knownage/known-sex forensic/clinical sample. Results show that, until puberty, female and male pelves exhibit only moderate sexual dimorphism and follow largely similar developmental trajectories. With the onset of puberty, however, the female trajectory diverges substantially from the common course, resulting in rapid expansion of obstetrically relevant pelvic dimensions up to the age of 25-30 y. From 40 y onward females resume a mode of pelvic development similar to males, resulting in significant reduction of obstetric dimensions. This complex developmental trajectory is likely linked to the pubertal rise and premenopausal fall of estradiol levels and results in the obstetrically most adequate pelvic morphology during the time of maximum female fertility. The evidence that hormones mediate female pelvic development and morphology supports the view that solutions of the obstetrical dilemma depend not only on selection and adaptation but also on developmental plasticity as a response to ecological/nutritional factors during a female's lifetime.pelvis | development | evolution | obstetrical dilemma | sex steroids

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Developmental evidence for obstetric adaptation of the human female pelvis

Huseynov

Zollikofer

Coudyzer

et al. 2016

Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A.

163

143

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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“…We observed a weak tendency for a positive association between birth size and adolescent oestradiol level. In two previous studies, both of which controlled for cyclic variation, positive associations of premenopausal oestradiol levels with ponderal index at birth (Jasienska et al, 2006) and birth weight (Tworoger et al, 2006) were reported. If this relation is true, it may be in accord with the positive association of birth size with BC risk observed in many studies.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Association of size at birth with adolescent hormone levels, body size and age at menarche: relevance for breast cancer risk

et al. 2008

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Birth size has been positively associated with age at menarche and height in adolescence and adulthood, but the relevant biological mechanisms remain unclear. Among 262 Norwegian term-born singleton girls, birth size measures (weight, length, ponderal index, head circumference and subscapular skin-fold thickness) were analysed in relation to adolescent hormone levels (oestradiol, prolactin, dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate, androstenedione and free testosterone index), age at menarche and adolescent (ages 12.7 -15.5 years) and body size (height, weight, body mass index and waist-to-hip ratio) using survival analysis and general linear modelling. The results were adjusted for gestational age at birth, age and menarcheal status at measurement in adolescence and maternal age at menarche. Birth weight, birth length and head circumference were positively associated with adolescent weight and height, and small birth size was associated with earlier age at menarche. Subscapular skin-fold thickness at birth was not associated with adolescent body size, but low fold-thickness was associated with earlier age at menarche. Measures of birth size were inversely related to circulating levels of dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate in adolescence, but there was no clear association with other hormones. These results suggest that physical and sexual development in puberty and adolescence is influenced by prenatal factors, and in combination, these factors may influence health and disease later in life. (Trichopoulos, 1990) has stimulated studies of birth size in relation to risk factors for BC (Okasha et al, 2003). Birth size is an indicator of foetal growth and may reflect intrauterine exposure to oestrogen, the key factor that was originally proposed to explain a possible association between intrauterine factors and adult BC (Trichopoulos, 1990). Studies have shown that relatively large birth size is associated with later age at menarche (Adair, 2001;Sloboda et al, 2007) and taller body height, both in adolescence (Pietiläinen et al, 2001;Romundstad et al, 2003) and in adulthood (Loos et al, 2002). Adult tallness is associated with higher BC risk, and the positive association between birth size and body height suggests that longitudinal growth in childhood and adolescence may be important determinants for subsequent BC (Michels and Willett, 2004). Birth size has also been inversely related to adrenal androgen production during childhood (Ong et al, 2004) and adolescence (Ibanez et al, 1999). Adult levels of both adrenal and gonadal androgens have been associated with BC risk (Kaaks et al, 2005a, b). The fact that small birth size is associated with earlier age at menarche and higher circulating levels of adrenal androgens cannot be easily reconciled with known BC risk factors, as small birth size may be related to reduced risk, and both early age at menarche and androgens are expected to increase risk.We have examined the relation between birth size characteristics and potential BC risk factors (ESHRE Capri Workshop Group, 2004),...

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“…In fact, epidemiologic data seem to indicate that the association of high birth weight with breast cancer risk in premenopausal women is not likely to be mediated through height, weight, or growth velocity in childhood and adolescence (159,160), but possibly through greater adult height (161). Whether birth size is associated with premenopausal estrogen concentrations (162,163) or adult IGF profiles (164-167) is unclear.…”

Section: Prenatal Risk Factors For Breast Cancer Cancer Epidemiol Biomentioning

confidence: 99%

Exploring the Underlying Hormonal Mechanisms of Prenatal Risk Factors for Breast Cancer: A Review and Commentary

Troisi

Potischman

Hoover

2007

Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers &Amp; Prevention

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Prenatal factors have been hypothesized to influence subsequent breast cancer development. Directly evaluating the associations of in utero exposures with risk, however, presents several methodologic and theoretical challenges, including the long induction period between exposure and disease and the lack of certainty regarding the critical timing of exposure. Indirect evaluation of these associations has been achieved by use of proxies such as gestational and neonatal characteristics. Evidence suggests that preeclampsia is associated with a reduced breast cancer risk, whereas high birth weight and dizygotic twinning seem associated with an increased risk. Asians born in Asia have substantially lower breast cancer risks than women born in the West. Although data thus far are few, what exists is not consistent with a unifying hypothesis for a particular biological exposure (such as estrogens or androgens) during pregnancy as mediating the observed associations between pregnancy factors and breast cancer risk. This suggests that additional studies of prenatal factors should seek to broaden the range of hormones, growth, and other endocrine factors that are evaluated in utero. Once candidate biomarkers are identified, assessing them with respect to breast cancer and with intermediate end points in carcinogenesis should be a priority. In addition, investigations should explore the possibility that in utero exposures may not act directly on the breast, but may alter other physiologic pathways such as hormone metabolism that have their effect on risk later in life. (Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2007;16(9):1700 -12)

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High ponderal index at birth predicts high estradiol levels in adult women

Cited by 68 publications

References 51 publications

Developmental evidence for obstetric adaptation of the human female pelvis

Developmental evidence for obstetric adaptation of the human female pelvis

Association of size at birth with adolescent hormone levels, body size and age at menarche: relevance for breast cancer risk

Exploring the Underlying Hormonal Mechanisms of Prenatal Risk Factors for Breast Cancer: A Review and Commentary

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