methylation: association with cortisol, perceived stress, rs1006737 and childhood trauma in males.

We investigated morning cortisol, stress, rs1006737 and childhood trauma relationship with methylation. Morning cortisol release, childhood trauma and perceived stress were collected and genotyping for rs1006737 conducted in 103 adult males. Genomic DNA extracted from saliva was bisulphite converted and using pyrosequencing methylation determined at 11 CpG sites within intron 3 of . A significant negative correlation between waking cortisol and overall mean methylation was found and a positive correlation between CpG5 methylation and perceived stress. methylation levels may be related to cortisol release and stress perception. Future work should evaluate the influence of altered methylation on stress reactivity to investigate this as a potential mechanism for mental health vulnerability.