Presence and concentration of 17 hormones in human placenta processed for encapsulation and consumption.
Human maternal placentophagy is a rare but growing practice in several industrialized countries among postpartum mothers seeking a variety of purported health benefits attributed to the practice. These postpartum mothers typically consume their placenta as a processed, encapsulated supplement. To determine whether free (unconjugated) steroid hormones and melatonin in placenta can survive the encapsulation process (namely steaming and dehydration), we analyzed 28 placenta samples processed for encapsulation using liquid chromatography tandem-mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) to evaluate the concentration of 17 hormones. The results revealed detectable concentrations for 16 of the hormones analyzed, some in concentrations that could conceivably yield physiological effects.
Metabolism, Anthropometry and Nutrition Laboratory, Department of Anthropology, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, 4505 S. Maryland Pkwy, Box 455003, Las Vegas, NV, 89154-5003, USA. Electronic address: sharon.young@unlv.edu.
Sharon M
SM
Young
Metabolism, Anthropometry and Nutrition Laboratory, Department of Anthropology, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, 4505 S. Maryland Pkwy, Box 455003, Las Vegas, NV, 89154-5003, USA; School of Community Health Sciences, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, 4505 S. Maryland Pkwy, Box 453063, Las Vegas, NV, 89154-3063, USA. Electronic address: laura.gryder@unlv.edu.
Laura K
LK
Gryder
ZRT Laboratory, 8605 SW Creekside Place, Beaverton, OR, USA. Electronic address: dzava@zrtlab.com.
David
D
Zava
ZRT Laboratory, 8605 SW Creekside Place, Beaverton, OR, USA. Electronic address: dwkimball@zrtlab.com.
David W
DW
Kimball
Metabolism, Anthropometry and Nutrition Laboratory, Department of Anthropology, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, 4505 S. Maryland Pkwy, Box 455003, Las Vegas, NV, 89154-5003, USA. Electronic address: daniel.benyshek@unlv.edu.
Daniel C
DC
Benyshek
D000328:Adult; D002853:Chromatography, Liquid; D005260:Female; D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000378:metabolism*; D008550:Melatonin / Q000378:metabolism*; D010920:Placenta / Q000378:metabolism*; D011247:Pregnancy; D053719:Tandem Mass Spectrometry; D055815:Young Adult
D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones; D008550:Melatonin; D006854:Hydrocortisone
Encapsulated placenta; Placentophagia; Placentophagy; Postpartum depression; Postpartum supplement; Steroid hormones