title: A functional fetal HSD11B2[CA]n microsatellite polymorphism is associated with maternal serum cortisol concentrations in pregnant women.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Cortisol plays an important role during pregnancy. It controls maternal glucose metabolism and fetal development. Cortisol metabolism is partially controlled by the 11b-HSD2. This enzyme is expressed in the kidney and human placenta. The activity of the enzyme is partially controlled by functional polymorphisms: the HSD11B2[CA]n microsatellite polymorphism. The impact of this functional gene polymorphism on cortisol metabolism and potential effects on the newborn's is unknown so far.
  
  
  METHODS
  In the current prospective birth cohort study in southern Asia, we analyzed the association of the HSD11B2[CA]n microsatellite polymorphisms in 187 mothers and their newborn's on maternal and newborn's serum cortisol concentrations.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Using multivariable regression analyses considering known confounding (gestational age, newborn's gender, the labor uterine contraction states and the timing during the day of blood taking), we showed that the fetal HSD11B2[CA]n microsatellite polymorphisms in the first intron was related to maternal cortisol concentration (R2=0.26, B=96.27, p=0.007), whereas as the newborn's cortisol concentrations were independent of fetal and maternal HSD11B2[CA]n microsatellite polymorphism.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our study showed for the first time that the fetal HSD11B2[CA]n microsatellite polymorphism of the HSD11B2 gene in healthy uncomplicated human pregnancy is associated with maternal cortisol concentration. This indicates that fetal genes controlling cortisol metabolism may affect maternal cortisol concentration and hence physiology in healthy pregnant women.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Medicine, Medical college of Hunan Normal University, Changsha 410006, China.
authors.forename: Jian
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: You-Peng
authors.initials: YP
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Zi-Neng
authors.initials: ZN
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Tie-Bin
authors.initials: TB
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Dan
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Yun-Peng
authors.initials: YP
authors.lastname: Dong
authors.forename: Berthold
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Hocher
mesh_terms: D043209:11-beta-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase Type 2 / Q000235:genetics*; D000328:Adult; D002940:Circadian Rhythm / Q000502:physiology; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D005333:Fetus / Q000378:metabolism; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood*; D018895:Microsatellite Repeats / Q000235:genetics*; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic / Q000235:genetics*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011446:Prospective Studies
chemical_list: D043209:11-beta-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase Type 2; C468387:HSD11B2 protein, human; D006854:Hydrocortisone