| dc.description.abstract | Separation experiences in childhood are a form of early-life stress (ELS) and have a life-long impact on an individual (Kraaijenvanger et al., 2020). Previous research suggests that DNA methylation mediates the relationship of ELS and adverse outcomes in later life (Weaver et al., 2004). ELS has been empirically linked to alteration of the oxytocinergic and vasopressin-nergic systems which influence social behavior and stress-responsivity (Kompier et al., 2019). These systems, in turn, are partly controlled by the expression of the oxytocin gene (OXT) and the vasopressin gene (AVP) which can be altered by methylation (Gimpl & Fahrenholz, 2001). Thus, our objective was to investigate the effect of separation experiences in childhood on the DNA methylation of OXT and AVP, and how the family environment and the age at separation influence it. Data of 149 monozygotic twins from the Swedish Adoption/Twin Study of Aging sample were analyzed. Fifty-eight twins were reared apart and 91were reared together. Before correcting for multiple-testing we observed significant effects of rearing status, family conflict and age at the time of separation on the methylation of single CpG sites of OXT and AVP. These results are in line with previous research and may point to a resiliency mechanism of OXT and AVP methylation after ELS which may be age-related in OXT. Nevertheless, findings need to be interpreted with caution due to lacking significance after correcting for multiple testing. | |
