Maternal and Fetal HSD3B1 Polymorphisms and Maternal Diagnosis of Depression [ID 1327]

INTRODUCTION: Progesterone and its downstream products, including allopregnanolone, have been associated with mood disorders and their treatment. Genetic variants affecting progesterone levels may influence symptom variability. This retrospective cohort study aimed to evaluate the relationship between the HSD3B1 genetic polymorphism, a variant with known nonobstetrical physiologic effects, and depression or anxiety in pregnant women throughout gestation. METHODS: This is a secondary analysis of the control population from a prospective cohort study investigating HDS3B1 polymorphism and preterm birth. IRB approval was obtained. Patients meeting strict inclusion criteria, including age 18–35, nulliparity, body mass index 18.5–39.9, absence of major anomalies, pregnancy dating prior to 28 weeks, and delivering at term during the index pregnancy, were eligible. Patients with available maternal and/or fetal (placental) genetic analysis for the HSD3B1 polymorphism were included. Charts were abstracted for depression history, mood assessment during pregnancy and the postpartum period, depression diagnosis, and medication usage for common antidepressants. We compared wild-type homozygous, mutant with heterozygous maternal (141) or fetal (212) genotypes in a chi-squared analysis using R. RESULTS: There was a relationship approaching statistical significance between fetal, but not maternal, HSD3B1 genotype and maternal diagnoses of: depression ( P =.1; P =.7), depression preceding pregnancy ( P =.16; P =.5), anxiety ( P =.056; P =.58), or bipolar disorder ( P =.18; P =.9). CONCLUSIONS/IMPLICATIONS: The study demonstrated results trending toward significance regarding a relationship between HSD3B1 genotype and maternal depression or prior anxiety diagnosis; however, further studies evaluating a larger sample size will be needed.