Because of the limited knowledge on dog perinatology and due
to the known usefulness of claws as a non-invasive matrix for long-term retrospective
hormone accumulation investigations (1, 2), this study aimed to
assess possible changes of dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S) concentrations,
the major fetal steroid, in newborn puppy-claws and to evaluate
the possible effect of some maternal and neonatal parameters on DHEA-S
claw accumulation. Methods: The study was performed on 60 largely purebred
viable, normal and healthy puppies. Tip claws were individually collec -
ted by trimming at birth and after regrowth at 30 and 60 days of age. Pooled
individual claws were stored at room temperature until analysis by RIA.
Possible effects of maternal age and parity, type of parturition, litter size,
and newborn gender were statistically assessed. Results: The mean ± SD
DHEA-S claw-concentration decreased significantly (p < 0.001) from birth
(209 ± 148.00 pg/mg) to 30 days (94 ± 45.85 pg/mg) and further to 60 days
(60 ± 74.02 pg/mg) of age. Claw-DHEA-S values at birth were somewhat
higher, but with a lower SD, in comparison to data reported for 1–3 weeks
old human babies (1). No influence of maternal age and parity, type of parturition,
litter size, and newborn gender was found. The trend of a decrease
is in agreement with data reported for cortisol in dead puppies (2), and suggests,
beside the role of cortisol, the important effects of DHEA-S around
the time of birth, also in puppies, as reported for human babies (1).
1. Tegethoff et al. Biological Psychology 2011; 87: 414–420.
2. Veronesi et al. Theriogenology 2015; 84: 791–796.
