Presence and concentration of 17 hormones in human placenta processed for encapsulation and consumption

Abstract 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 suppleme...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Placenta (Eastbourne) 2016-07, Vol.43, p.86-89
Main Authors: Young, Sharon M, Gryder, Laura K, Zava, David, Kimball, David W, Benyshek, Daniel C
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
Chromatography, Liquid
Encapsulated placenta
Female
Gonadal Steroid Hormones - metabolism
Humans
Hydrocortisone - metabolism
Internal Medicine
Melatonin - metabolism
Obstetrics and Gynecology
Placenta - metabolism
Placentophagia
Placentophagy
Postpartum depression
Postpartum supplement
Pregnancy
Steroid hormones
Tandem Mass Spectrometry
Young Adult
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Summary:Abstract 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.
ISSN:0143-4004
1532-3102
DOI:10.1016/j.placenta.2016.05.005