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1. Bi-directional actions of dehydroepiandrosterone and aggression in female Siberian hamsters: DHEA AND FEMALE AGGRESSION

   https://doi.org/10.1002/jez.2001  

   Rendon, Nikki M.; Demas, Gregory E. (February 2016, Journal of Experimental Zoology Part A: Ecological Genetics and Physiology)
2. Validation of an enzyme immunoassay for measurement of fecal dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate in gibbons and siamangs

   https://doi.org/10.1002/zoo.21687  

   Takeshita, Rafaela S. (January 2022, Zoo Biology)

   Monitoring wildlife stress levels is essential to ensure their quality of life in captivity or in the wild. One promising method to assess the stress response is the comeasurement of glucocorticoids (GC) and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS), adrenal hormones involved in the modulation of the stress response. Although noninvasive methods to measure GCs have been validated in several species, only a few studies have validated DHEAS assays. The aims of this study were (1) to describe an enzyme immunoassay (EIA) to measure DHEAS levels, (2) to validate this assay for fecal samples in gibbons and siamangs, and (3) to test hormonal stability after one freeze-thaw cycle and over time at two freezer temperatures (-20°C and -80°C). Subjects included 32 gibbons and siamangs from U.S. zoological parks. The EIA was validated analytically by parallelism and accuracy tests, and biologically by confirming a DHEAS response 1-2 days after a stressful event (accident, vaccination, or transportation) in three individuals. In addition, fecal DHEAS levels in a pregnant female were above nonpregnant/nonlactating levels and declined progressively the following parturition. The hormonal stability experiments revealed no significant changes in fecal DHEAS levels after one freeze-thaw cycle. Hormonal levels in fecal extracts were stable for 2 months, regardless of the storage temperature, with no significant differences between -20°C and -80°C conditions. The EIA described has high sensitivity and it is suitable for fecal DHEAS measurement in gibbons and siamangs, with a potential to be applied to other species. 

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3. Dehydroepiandrosterone at birth: Response to stress and relation to demographic, pregnancy and delivery factors

   https://doi.org/10.1111/jne.12906  

   Kamin, Hayley S.; Bhatt, Samarth S.; Mulligan, Connie J.; Kertes, Darlene A. (October 2020, Journal of Neuroendocrinology)

   Abstract Enhanced production of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) by the foetal hypothalamic‐pituitary‐adrenal (HPA) axis enables maturational events critical for labour induction and neonatal adaptation. Despite knowledge of the interconnected nature of maternal and foetal physiology and dramatic changes in DHEA production after birth, few studies have examined DHEA levels in newborns and none have examined DHEA’s response to acute stress. Understanding normative patterns of early DHEA activity is needed to accurately assess functioning of the biological stress system with relevance for health and development. The present study analysed DHEA concentrations and change after stress among 93 newborns and associations with pregnancy, delivery and demographic risk factors. Three saliva samples, collected prior to and following a blood draw stressor, were used to determine baseline and stress reactive DHEA levels. Mothers self‐reported on health behaviours during pregnancy. Data on obstetric factors were obtained from medical records. DHEA levels declined from pre‐ to post‐stressor assessments. Results also showed that post‐stressor DHEA change was significantly associated with administration of medications used to treat pain and accelerate labour. However, there was no significant variation in DHEA pre‐stress levels or change after stress as a function of time after birth. By capturing DHEA levels after birth, the present study provides a window into prenatal health of the HPA system. The study also advances knowledge of DHEA in newborns by providing data on reference levels and important covariates. This information on basic adrenal physiology provides a foundation that can be expanded on to enhance understanding of early hypothalamic‐pituitary‐adrenal axis activity. 

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4. Validation of a Dehydroepiandrosterone-Sulfate Assay in Three Platyrrhine Primates (Alouatta caraya, Aotus azarae infulatus, and Sapajus apella)

   https://doi.org/10.1007/s10764-021-00239-x  

   da Silva, Gessiane Pereira; de Melo, Josi Teixeira; Monteiro, Frederico Ozanan; Ferreira, Ana Karolyna; Carneiro, Liliane Almeida; Takeshita, Rafaela S. (October 2021, International Journal of Primatology)
5. Changes in Maternal Depression and Children’s Behavior Problems: Investigating the Role of COVID-19-Related Stressors, Hair Cortisol, and Dehydroepiandrosterone

   https://doi.org/21677026221076845  

   Doan, Stacey N. Ding (January 2022, Clinical psychological science)

   Few studies have used longitudinal approaches to consider the cumulative impact of COVID-19-related stressors (CRSs) on the psychological adjustment of mothers and children. In the current study, we tracked changes in maternal depressive symptoms and children’s behavioral problems from approximately 2 years before the pandemic (T1) to May through August 2020 (T2). Second, we explored maternal hair cortisol and dehydroepiandrosterone as predictors of change in maternal depressive symptoms. Mothers (N = 120) reported on maternal and child psychological adjustment at both time points. Hair hormone data were collected in the lab at T1. Results suggest increases in children’s internalizing symptoms from T1 to T2 and that higher levels of CRSs were associated with increased maternal depressive symptoms. Maternal and child adjustment were correlated. Maternal hair cortisol, but not dehydroepiandrosterone, was associated with significant increases in depressive symptoms. Findings underscore the importance of considering the family system and cumulative risk exposure on maternal and child mental health. 

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