Telomere reprogramming during fetal life in low socioeconomic mothers

Abstract

Background

Relative telomere length (RTL), the biological chronometer, varies considerably among individuals under the influence of multiple risk factors such as socioeconomic status (SES). It is anticipated that during fetal life, telomeres undergo reprogramming. The purpose of this study is to find the association between SES and telomere length of mother-newborn and genetic remodeling that occurs during fetal life.

Results

The mean telomere/single gene copy (T/S) ratio and RTL (base pairs) among 250 mother-newborn dyads were higher in cord blood of newborns (1.18 ± 0.23) (6765 ± 1350 bp) (95% confidence level) compared to maternal blood (1.13 ± 0.18) (6432 ± 1350 bp) of all SES of the Pakistani population. A positive association (r = 0.396, p <  0.05) (F (2,238) = 9.229, p <  0.05) was found between maternal and newborn telomere length by using Spearman’s correlation and regression analyses. Calculated RTL by Kruskal Wallis was found significant in low SES maternal and cord blood (5916 ± 754-6214 ± 596) compared to high SES maternal and cord blood (6818 ± 1248-7471 ± 1851).

Conclusion

Significantly longer RTL in cord blood than maternal blood was observed in the targeted Pakistani population, including the low socioeconomic group highlighting fetal telomere reprogramming. High education appears to have a strong determining factor for longer RTL.