School of Archaeological and Forensic Sciences, University of Bradford, Bradford, UK.
Institute of Dentistry, Bart's and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK.
Ann Hum Biol. 2022 Jun;49(3-4):171-191. doi: 10.1080/03014460.2022.2091795. Epub 2022 Jul 4.
There are few reliable osteological indicators to detect parity or infer puberty in skeletal remains. Nitrogen (δN) and stable carbon (δC) isotope ratios in human tissues can be affected by metabolically unbalanced states engendered by pregnancy or rapid growth, offering potential biomarkers.
This pilot study explores the potential of incremental dentine-collagen isotope ratio analysis to identify puberty and gestation.
Incremental dentine δN and δC profiles were produced by analysing third molars extracted as part of dental treatment of 10 individuals living in Sudan. Demographic and anthropometric data at the time of tooth extraction was available. Medical histories were unknown.
Isotopic signatures potentially related to pubertal growth, with an average δN reduction of 0.78 ± 0.29‰, are indicated. Six isotopic signals suggestive of pregnancy, with an average δN decrease of 0.48 ± 0.22‰, are also observed. The timing, speed and amplitude of post-partum δN patterns seemingly infer infant feeding practices and maternal nutritional status.
This pilot study highlights the potential of incremental dentine isotope analysis for the reconstruction of early reproductive histories in skeletal remains. However, controlled studies with a larger human cohort are needed to validate these findings, establish isotopic signals linked to puberty and lactation, and improve chronology accuracy.
很少有可靠的骨骼指标可以用来检测生育次数或推断骨骼遗骸的青春期。人体组织中的氮（δN）和稳定碳（δC）同位素比值会受到妊娠或快速生长等代谢失衡状态的影响，从而提供潜在的生物标志物。
本研究旨在探讨牙本质-胶原蛋白同位素比值分析在识别青春期和妊娠期方面的潜力。
本研究通过分析 10 名生活在苏丹的个体在进行牙齿治疗时提取的第三磨牙，得出了牙本质的增量 δN 和 δC 分布曲线。在提取牙齿时，记录了受试者的人口统计学和人体测量学数据，但未知其病史。
观察到了与青春期生长相关的潜在同位素特征，平均 δN 降低了 0.78±0.29‰。还观察到了 6 个提示妊娠的同位素信号，平均 δN 降低了 0.48±0.22‰。产后 δN 模式的时间、速度和幅度似乎可以推断出婴儿的喂养方式和母亲的营养状况。
本研究强调了牙本质同位素分析在骨骼遗骸中重建早期生殖史的潜力。然而，需要进行更多的对照研究，以验证这些发现，确定与青春期和哺乳期相关的同位素信号，并提高年代学的准确性。
