Pickles, peptide hormones and pregnancy: a hypothesis.
In western societies a high frequency of heartburn, nausea and vomiting occur during pregnancy. The causes and mechanisms of these clinical symptoms remain poorly understood. Evidence suggests steroid hormones modulate gastrointestinal transit time and plasma peptide hormones, while peptide hormone modulated food intake and preferences. Since diurnal and episodic release of steroid and peptide hormones occur, it is postulated that heartburn and other digestive dysfunction during pregnancy are associated with elevated steroid and peptide (beta-endorphin, NPY) hormone interaction with innate biological rhythms controlling the gastrointestinal tract.
Hill
P
P
Department of Epidemiology, American Health Foundation, New York, NY 10017.
D001835:Body Weight; D004063:Digestion / Q000502:physiology; D004066:Digestive System Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D004068:Digestive System Physiological Phenomena; D005260:Female; D005518:Food Preferences; D005764:Gastroesophageal Reflux / Q000209:etiology; D005772:Gastrointestinal Transit / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008954:Models, Biological; D010455:Peptides / Q000502:physiology*; D011247:Pregnancy / Q000502:physiology*; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000209:etiology
D010455:Peptides