Hair and Claw Dehydroepiandrosterone Concentrations in Newborn Puppies Spontaneously Dead within 30 Days of Age

SIMPLE SUMMARY: Still today, information about the canine perinatal period is lacking, even if this period has many challenges. One of the essential key systems for the correct final fetal development and for the neonatal adaptation is the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis. The final products of this axis are cortisol and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA). The aim of the present study was to investigate DHEA concentrations in claws and hair of dead newborn puppies, classified as premature puppies (PRE-P), stillborn puppies (STILL-P) and puppies that died from the 1st to the 30th day of life (NEON-P). Results showed higher DHEA concentrations in claws of PRE-P puppies when compared with other categories. DHEA concentrations in hair did not reveal any statistical difference. The findings of the present study confirm that higher DHEA levels are produced during intrauterine life when compared with subsequent phases, also in puppies that died. The use of claws confirms their potential for long-term hormonal studies in puppies. These results provide useful information about the canine perinatal period. ABSTRACT: The latest intrauterine fetal developmental stage and the neonatal period represent the most challenging phases for mammalian offspring. Toward the term of pregnancy, during parturition, and after birth, the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis (HPA) is a key system regulating several physiologic processes, through the production of cortisol and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA). This study was aimed to assess DHEA concentrations in hair and claws of 126 spontaneously dead newborn puppies, classified as premature puppies (PRE-P), stillborn puppies (STILL-P) and puppies that died from the 1st to the 30th day of life (NEON-P). The possible influence of newborn sex, breed body size, and timing of death on DHEA concentrations in both matrices was evaluated. Claw DHEA concentrations were higher in the PRE-P group when compared to STILL-P and NEON-P puppies (p < 0.05), whilst no significant differences were found in hair for all the studied factors. The results confirm the hypothesis that higher amounts of DHEA are produced during the intrauterine life in dogs, also in puppies that will die soon after birth.