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. 2024 Jun 22;25(13):6857.
doi: 10.3390/ijms25136857.

Association between Disgust Sensitivity during Pregnancy and Endogenous Steroids: A Longitudinal Study

Šárka Kaňková  1 , Daniela Dlouhá  1 , Jana Ullmann  1 , Marta Velíková  2 , Josef Včelák  3 , Martin Hill  2
Affiliations

Association between Disgust Sensitivity during Pregnancy and Endogenous Steroids: A Longitudinal Study

Šárka Kaňková et al. Int J Mol Sci. .

Abstract

The emotion of disgust protects individuals against pathogens, and it has been found to be elevated during pregnancy. Physiological mechanisms discussed in relation to these changes include immune markers and progesterone levels. This study aimed to assess the association between steroids and disgust sensitivity in pregnancy. Using a prospective longitudinal design, we analyzed blood serum steroid concentrations and measured disgust sensitivity via text-based questionnaires in a sample of 179 pregnant women during their first and third trimesters. We found positive correlations between disgust sensitivity and the levels of C19 steroids (including testosterone) and its precursors in the Δ5 pathway (androstenediol, DHEA, and their sulfates) and the Δ4 pathway (androstenedione). Additionally, positive correlations were observed with 5α/β-reduced C19 steroid metabolites in both trimesters. In the first trimester, disgust sensitivity was positively associated with 17-hydroxypregnanolone and with some estrogens. In the third trimester, positive associations were observed with cortisol and immunoprotective Δ5 C19 7α/β-hydroxy-steroids. Our findings show that disgust sensitivity is positively correlated with immunomodulatory steroids, and in the third trimester, with steroids which may be related to potential maternal-anxiety-related symptoms. This study highlights the complex relationship between hormonal changes and disgust sensitivity during pregnancy.

Keywords: 7α/β-hydroxy-androgens; DHEA; androstenediol; behavioral immune system; cortisol; disgust; estrogens; pregnancy; steroids; testosterone.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Associations between disgust sensitivity and predictors evaluated via an OPLS model in the first trimester of pregnancy. * p < 0.05, ** p < 0.01.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Associations between disgust sensitivity and predictors evaluated via an OPLS model in the third trimester of pregnancy. * p < 0.05, ** p < 0.01.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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