Scientists have identified a method for testing ancient human remains for hormones associated with pregnancy, a significant advancement that enables researchers to ascertain whether a woman was pregnant or had recently given birth at the time of her death, reports BritPanorama.
The research revealed the presence of key reproductive hormones—estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone—in the hard tissues, including bones and teeth, of skeletons dating back as far as 1,000 years. This was outlined in a study published on October 2 in the Journal of Archaeological Science.
Lead study author Aimée Barlow, an archaeologist at the University of Sheffield in northern England, described the findings as a ‘hormone archive’ that had never been detected in dental structures before. “This is a first. Nobody has ever detected these specific hormones in teeth or dental calculus before,” Barlow stated. “It is also the first time progesterone has been successfully measured in human bone tissue.”
Traditionally, pregnancy has been challenging to identify in ancient remains, as scientists believed the overwhelmingly inorganic composition of hard tissues would hinder the preservation of such proteins. However, Barlow’s team tested samples from seven female and three male skeletons spanning from the first to 19th centuries using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). This method is typically employed to detect and quantify peptide and protein molecules like progesterone, which rises significantly during the first trimester and is sustained throughout pregnancy.
Notably, estrogen and testosterone levels also increase, albeit to a lesser extent, making it essential to analyze the interplay between these hormones. The analysis indicated that these hormones were detectable in bone, dentin, enamel, and dental calculus. “High progesterone levels in dental structures and calculus, the presence of estrogen in bone, and a lack of testosterone in hard tissues was consistent with pregnancy at the time of death,” the authors noted.
This development exemplifies “the feasibility and significant potential of the ELISA method for detecting sex hormones in human skeletal remains to examine the reproductive histories of past populations,” according to the study.
Barlow expressed that confirming the preservation of hormones in skeletal remains could eventually allow researchers to determine the age of first pregnancies, instances of pregnancy loss, and the intervals between multiple births in historical contexts devoid of written records. Meanwhile, further research is necessary to refine the technique for ancient samples, including establishing baseline hormone levels by studying a larger group of individuals with comprehensive medical histories.
Groundbreaking findings
Nikolas Lemos, a professor of forensic medical sciences at Queen Mary University of London, not involved in the study, emphasized its pioneering nature. “This is a pioneering study … which has achieved a world-first,” he remarked, while also noting that the sample size was “very small,” with only two of ten individuals found to be pregnant at death. He stressed that the ELISA method requires additional testing and validation.
“In short, while the findings are groundbreaking, they should be viewed as proof of concept, not yet as a routine diagnostic tool,” Lemos added. He acknowledged that despite being in its early stages, the work represents a remarkable step toward comprehending the hormonal aspects of life and death in the ancient world.
Alexander Comninos, a professor of endocrinology at Imperial College London who was not part of the study, described the research as “fascinating.” He elaborated, “By understanding reproductive profiles of the past, this can provide insights into how these may have changed over time and perhaps glimpses of the future.” He noted that identifying these key hormones in bones could catalyze further contemporary studies in the field.
The ability to analyze reproductive histories through ancient remains opens intriguing avenues for understanding human development across different eras, indicating that the research will continue to evolve as methods advance.
