Childhood conditions influence adult progesterone levels
2007

Childhood Conditions Affect Adult Progesterone Levels

Sample size: 227 publication Evidence: high

Author Information

Author(s): Alejandra Núñez-de la Mora, Robert T. Chatterton, Osul A. Choudhury, Dora A. Napolitano, Gillian R. Bentley

Primary Institution: University College London

Hypothesis

Early life conditions will influence adult baseline levels of progesterone.

Conclusion

Women of Bangladeshi origin who spent their childhood in the UK had higher progesterone levels and matured earlier than those who spent their childhood in Bangladesh.

Supporting Evidence

  • Women who spent their childhood in the UK had up to 103% higher levels of salivary progesterone.
  • Child migrants had an earlier age at menarche compared to those who migrated as adults.
  • Lower levels of ovarian hormones are associated with reduced probability of conception.

Takeaway

If you grow up in a better environment, your body can grow and develop better, which can help you later in life.

Methodology

The study compared salivary progesterone levels among different groups of Bangladeshi women based on their childhood environment, using saliva samples and questionnaires.

Potential Biases

Potential bias due to cultural tensions faced by child migrants and second-generation women.

Limitations

The study did not specifically test which environmental factors were most influential on progesterone levels.

Participant Demographics

First- and second-generation Bangladeshi women aged 19-39, including those who migrated to the UK at different life stages.

Statistical Information

P-Value

<0.001

Statistical Significance

p<0.001

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1371/journal.pmed.0040167

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