Plasma alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone during the menstrual cycle in women

alpha-Melanocyte-stimulating hormone (alpha-MSH) and adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) immunoreactivity (IR) was measured in the blood of 22 healthy women with normal ovulatory process in the early and late follicular (near to ovulation) phases and in the early luteal phase of the menstrual cycle. Plasma alpha-MSH IR ranged from undetectable values to 81.3 pg/ml, the highest levels being found in the late follicular phase (15.52 +/- 4.16 pg/ml). In contrast, plasma ACTH IR was always detectable (range: 18.5-63.2 pg/ml), but its concentration did not differ significantly between the 3 phases of the menstrual cycle. High-pressure liquid chromatography fractionation of Sep pak C18-purified alpha-MSH IR revealed in all 3 phases the presence of 3 major peaks of alpha-MSH IR, coeluting with desacetyl-alpha-MSH, alpha-MSH and diacetyl-alpha-MSH, respectively. The most abundant peak always coeluted with authentic desacetyl-alpha-MSH, and the ratio between this deacetylated and the other 2 acetylated forms was similar in the 2 follicular phases (1:1.25 and 1:1.16 in the early and late phase, respectively), but significantly different in the luteal phase (1:0.48). The fluctuations in plasma concentration of the above MSH-related peptides suggest that different rates of alpha-MSH acetylation and release take place in the pituitary gland depending on the phase of the menstrual cycle.     

Behavioral changes across the menstrual cycle in isosexual groups of bonnet macaques (Macaca radiata)

Behavioral changes were systematically recorded across menstrual cycles over a six-month period in two laboratory-housed isosexual triads ofMacaca radiata (bonnet macaque). The purpose of this study was to determine whether females of this species demonstrate premenstrual behavioral changes as reported for humans, or heightened levels of aggression during the first half of their cycle as reported in some species of Old World monkeys. A total of 34 menstrual cycles were divided into five segments including two follicular, one periovulatory, and two luteal phases. The mean frequencies of behaviors were analyzed according to phase, rank, and time since triad formation, for a total of 34 menstrual cycles. There was no evidence of an increase in spatial separation during the premenstrual phase or during any other phase of the menstrual cycle. Although contact aggression did not show an increase during the early follicular half of the cycle (phases 1 and 2) or during the phase of the cycle immediately preceding menses (phase 5), contact aggression did show two peaks: one in the early-mid luteal half of the cycle (phase 4) and a peak in the mid-late follicular (phase 2). The non-aggressive hierarchical behaviors did not follow the same pattern as contact aggression. Instead the distribution of these behaviors showed a pattern similar to that of estrogen levels across the cycle. Subjects’ location in pen also varied significantly according to cycle phase: subjects spent more time on perches during the premenstrual phase and more time on the pen floor during the periovulatory phase. The increase in contact aggressive behaviors during the early-mid follicular phase and the mid-late luteal phase does not suggest a simple hormonal correlate as these two phases are characterized by high levels of estrogen and progesterone, respectively. However, the distribution of non-aggressive hierarchical behaviors suggest that this category of agonistic interaction may be related to mating competition among females of this species. Results are discussed with reference to the social behavior and promiscuous mating strategy ofM. radiata. The findings in this present study are compared with previous studies utilizing other species of Old World monkeys. Differences in study design and group composition are considered as factors effecting discrepant results both within and between species.     

Morphology of the oviducts and endometria of cynomolgus macaques during the menstrual cycle

We sampled the reproductive tracts of 27 cynomolgus macaques during the menstrual cycle and correlated the cytologic changes in the oviductal epithelium with changes in the serum levels of estradiol (E2) and progesterone (P) and with the histology of the ovaries and the endometria. We identified an orderly sequence of changes in the oviductal epithelium from the early follicular to the late luteal phase, and we classified this sequence into eight stages, named as follows: preciliogenic, ciliogenic, ciliogenic-ciliated, ciliated-ciliogenic, ciliated-secretory, early regression, late regression and full regression. The preciliogenic and ciliogenic phases were coincident with menses and the early follicular phase. The ciliogenic-ciliated, ciliated-ciliogenic and ciliated-secretory phases during which the oviductal epithelium became progressively more differentiated were coincident, respectively, with the midfollicular, late follicular and periovulatory phases of the cycle. The early, late and full regression stages during which the epithelium became progressively more atrophied, deciliated and nonsecretory were coincident, respectively, with the early, mid and late luteal phases of the cycle. The cyclic changes in the endometrium of cynomolgus macaques were similar to those reported for the rhesus macaque.     

Effect of sex hormones on neuromuscular control patterns during landing.

The purpose of the study was to investigate the effects of sex hormones across menstrual cycle phases on lower extremity neuromuscular control patterns during the landing phase of a drop jump. A repeated-measures design was utilized to examine sex hormone effects in 26 recreationally active eumenorrheic women. Varus/valgus knee angle and EMG activity from six lower extremity muscles were recorded during three drop jumps from a 50 cm platform in each phase of the menstrual cycle. Blood assays verified sex hormone levels and cycle phase. The semitendinosus muscle exhibited onset delays (p0.006) relative to ground contact during the luteal phase, and demonstrated a significant (p0.05) difference between early and late follicular phases. Muscle timing differences between the gluteus maximus and semitendinosus were decreased (p0.05) in the luteal compared to early follicular phases. These results suggest a different co-contractive behavior between the gluteus maximus and semitendinosus, signifying a shift in neuromuscular control patterns. It appears that female recreational athletes utilize a different neuromuscular control pattern for performing a drop jump sequence when estrogen levels are high (luteal phase) compared to when they are low (early follicular phase).     

Features of cardiovascular functioning during different phases of the menstrual cycle

The purpose of the present study was to determine whether there is a menstrual cycle effect on heart rate, blood pressure and heart rate variability. 10 healthy regularly cycling females (age 19-23 years) were studied during the follicular phase and luteal phase over two month. We found significant changes in heart rate, AMo and stress index during the menstrual cycle with a minimum in the follicular phase and maximum in the luteal phase. The HF and LF components decreased more during the luteal phase than during the follicular phase (p < 0.05), whereas a tendency for increase LF/HF was observed in the luteal phase. In the follicular phase SDNN, pNN50, Mo, MxDMn were significantly higher than in the luteal phase. Furthermore, the VIK was higher in the luteal phase compared to the follicular phase (p = 0.003). Blood pressure did not show any significant change during both these phases of the menstrual cycle. These findings indicate that sympathetic nervous activity in the luteal phase is greater than in the follicular phase, whereas parasympathetic nervous activity is predominant in the follicular phase. A difference of the balance of ovarian hormones may be responsible for these changes of autonomic functions during the menstrual cycle.     

The effect of smoking on serum progesterone, estradiol, and luteinizing hormone levels over a menstrual cycle in normal women

Since smoking has been shown to affect serum progesterone and estradiol levels in postmenopausal women, we evaluated the levels of these hormones and luteinizing hormone (LH) over an entire menstrual cycle (17 points) in eight healthy nonsmokers and eight healthy smokers. The total length of the cycle and the lengths of the follicular and luteal phases did not differ between the groups. There was no difference in estradiol, progesterone, or LH levels during the periovulatory and luteal phases. Follicular-phase serum progesterone, which had a level 37% higher in smokers, showed a plateau in both groups (28.3 +/- 5.7 ng/dl versus 20.7 +/- 5.7; P less than 0.0001). Follicular-phase serum estradiol showed a rising curve in both groups. The mean value in smokers was slightly higher than that in nonsmokers (107 pg/ml versus 95; P approximately 0.05); during the early part of the follicular phase, prior to the rapid preovulatory increase, the difference was greater (23%) and of higher statistical significance (80 pg/ml versus 65; P less than 0.001). The follicular-phase LH levels of smokers were skewed downward from the levels in nonsmokers, presumably by negative feedback from the elevated estradiol and progesterone levels; the difference was significant (P less than 0.001). The elevations of serum progesterone and estradiol in smokers probably represent activation of adrenocortical secretion by smoking. The greater and more clear-cut rise of progesterone than of estradiol is probably due to the fact that essentially all of the follicular-phase serum progesterone is secreted by the adrenal, while only part of the follicular-phase serum estradiol comes from the adrenal (via androstenedione and estrone).     

Relationship between ovarian cycle phase and sexual behavior in female Japanese macaques (Macaca fuscata)

We conducted behavioral observations simultaneously with fecal sample collection on eight nonlactating females 2-3 times per week, October 1997-March 1998, to examine the relationship between ovarian hormones and the sexual behavior of female Japanese macaques (Macaca fuscata) during the mating season. We analyzed samples by enzyme immunoassay for fecal hormone levels. Hormone profiles of estrone-glucuronide (E1) and pregnanediol-glucuronide (PdG) were used to separate ovarian cycles into three phases (follicular, periovulatory, and luteal). Hormonal profiles indicate average cycle lengths of 27.6 +/- 4.2 days (+/- SD; n = 26). Average lengths of the luteal and follicular phases were 12.3 +/- 3.8 days (+/- SD) and 8.3 +/- 3.4 days (+/- SD), respectively. We observed female Japanese macaques engaging in sexual activity throughout the ovarian cycle, with the highest rates occurring during the follicular and periovulatory phases as compared to the luteal phase. The attractivity of female Japanese macaques increased significantly during the follicular and periovulatory phases of the ovarian cycle, when E1 levels are peaking and PdG levels drop to baseline. In addition, females displayed a significant increase in proceptive behavior during the follicular and periovulatory phases. Grooming bouts, as well as proximity between female and male macaques, also increased significantly during the follicular and periovulatory phases. We conclude that fluctuating levels of ovarian hormones in different phases of the cycle are significantly associated with variable rates of copulatory and pericopulatory behaviors in these Japanese macaque females.     

月经周期对女性睡眠-觉醒和静息-活动的影响

目前有关月经周期对睡眠影响的研究结果并不一致,而对月经周期中昼夜睡眠-觉醒及静息-活动节律尚缺乏系统性的研究.本研究旨在观察正常育龄期女性月经周期中睡眠-觉醒及静息-活动昼夜节律的变化.我们采用静息-活动监测仪(actigraphy)和睡眠日志,调查了12个自然生活状态下健康育龄期妇女在月经周期不同阶段,即行经期、围排卵期、黄体早期及黄体晚期中睡眠与活动节律的变化.结果显示,睡眠-觉醒节律参数在四期之间无统计学显著差异;而静息-活动节律方面,所有受试女性静息-活动节律的平均日周期长度为(24.01±0.29)h,并且四期之间无显著性差异.行经期日间稳定系数(interdaily stability,IS)比黄体早期显著增加(P＜0.05).黄体早期日间活动开始时间明显较黄体晚期提前(P＜0.05);黄体早期的活动峰值时相比围排卵期显著提前(P＜0.05).月经周期可以影响静息-活动昼夜节律时相.而总体静息-活动数量与质量未发生显著变化;健康育龄期妇女在月经周期的各阶段中睡眠-觉醒节律亦无明显变异.     

Phase of menstrual cycle affects lysine requirement in healthy women

The aim of this study was to investigate whether the phases of the menstrual cycle affect lysine requirement in healthy adult females, as determined by the indicator amino acid oxidation (IAAO) method. Five healthy females with regular menstrual cycles were studied at seven graded levels of lysine intake, in random order, with an oral [13C]phenylalanine tracer protocol in both the follicular and luteal phases. A total of 14 studies were conducted for each subject. Breath and plasma samples were collected according to the standard IAAO protocol. Serum 17beta-estradiol and progesterone concentrations were measured on each IAAO study day. The rate of release of 13CO2 from [13C]phenylalanine oxidation (F13CO2) was measured, and a two-phase linear regression crossover model was applied to determine lysine requirement. F13CO2 was higher during the luteal phase (P < 0.001) and was positively associated with serum concentrations of 17beta-estradiol and progesterone. The F13CO2 data were adjusted for subjects and sex hormones and used to define breakpoints for lysine requirements. The lysine requirement of healthy females in the luteal phase was 37.7 mg.kg(-1).day(-1) and higher (P = 0.025) than that of females in the follicular phase (35.0 mg.kg(-1).day(-1)). At all lysine intake levels, plasma amino acids were lower and phenylalanine oxidation was higher in the luteal relative to the follicular phase. Therefore, we reason that the higher lysine requirement observed in the luteal phase is probably due to higher amino acid catabolism.     

Menstrual cycle-related changes in plasma oxytocin are relevant to normal sexual function in healthy women

Circulating levels of the neuro-hypophysial nonapeptide oxytocin increase during sexual arousal and orgasm in both men and women. A few studies have evaluated the effect of the menstrual cycle on plasma oxytocin in normally cycling, sexually active, healthy fertile women using or not using contraceptive pills. In 20 ovulating women and 10 women taking an oral contraceptive (group 1 and group 2, respectively), sexual function, hormonal profile, and plasma oxytocin (OT) were evaluated throughout the menstrual cycle. In group 1, plasma OT was significantly lower during the luteal phase in comparison with both the follicular and ovulatory phases. Plasma oxytocin was significantly correlated with the lubrication domain of the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) during the luteal phase and showed a trend towards statistical significance during the follicular phase. In group 2, plasma OT did not show any significant fluctuation throughout the menstrual cycle, even though a significant correlation was evident with both the arousal and the lubrication domain of the FSFI during the assumption of the contraceptive pill. These findings suggest that plasma OT fluctuates throughout the menstrual cycle in normally cycling healthy fertile women with adequate sexual activity but not taking any oral contraceptive pill. Moreover, plasma OT levels significantly relates to the genital lubrication in both women taking and not taking oral contraceptive pill apparently confirming its role in peripheral activation of sexual function.     

Cimetidine and plasma levels of gonadotropins,prolactin and gonadal steroids in women.

The endocrine effects of cimetidine (Tagamet) during the menstrual cycle were investigated in seven healthy female volunteers. The subjects were studied for six menstrual cycles divided into the pretreatment phase, a phase of therapy with 1.2 g of orally administered cimetidine daily for two cycles, and a post-treatment phase. Cimetidine therapy induced a significant increase in the mean plasma level of follicle-stimulating hormone during the periovulatory period, followed by modest but sustained hyperprolactinemia throughout the luteal phase of each cycle. No significant changes were found in the mean plasma levels of luteinizing hormone and progesterone, and the mean plasma estradiol level was significantly decreased only in the midproliferative phase of each cycle. The mean plasma prolactin levels after a bolus injection of thyrotropin-releasing hormone in the midluteal phase during cimetidine administration did not differ from the mean control levels, which indicates that cimetidine modulates the release of prolactin at the suprapituitary locus. However, the significance of the endocrine changes remains to be established.     

Evaluation of brain-derived neurotrophic factor in menstrual blood and its identification in human endometrium

The presence of high-affinity brain-derived neurotrophic factor receptor Trk B in mouse and in human fetal oocytes, together with the presence of neurotrophins in human follicular fluid suggests a paracrine role for brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in female biology. This study aims to evaluate if BDNF is present and quantitatively determined in human menstrual blood and endometrium. Twenty-one women were studied and subdivided in two groups: A, 11 fertile women (27 ± 2 days cycle length) and B, 10 anovulatory women and/or women with inadequate luteal phase (36 ± 2 days cycle length). In fertile women menstrual BDNF levels was higher than plasma (679.3 ± 92.2 vs 301.9 ± 46.7 pg/ml p <0.001). Similarly, in Group B, BDNF in menstrual blood was higher than plasma (386.1 ± 85.2 vs 166.8 ± 24.1 pg/ml p < 0.001). Moreover, both menstrual and plasma BDNF concentrations in Group A were significantly higher respect to Group B (679.3 ± 92.2 vs 386.1 ± 85.2 pg/ml p < 0.001; 301.9 ± 46.7 vs 166.8 ± 24.1 pg/ml p < 0.001). Immunohistochemistry evidence of BDNF in endometrium, during follicular and luteal phase, was also shown. The detection of BDNF in the human menstrual blood and endometrium further supports the role of this neurotrophin in female reproductive function.     

Tryptophan Metabolism During the Menstrual Cycle

The metabolism of tryptophan and tryptophan metabolites was investigated during the follicular, luteal and premenstrual phases of the menstrual cycle in 33 healthy women across one cycle. The metabolites of all three pathways of tryptophan ie the serotonergic pathway, the pyrollase pathway and the indole acetic acid pathway, were assayed from urinary prebreakfast samples collected on a repeated measures basis. Urinary 3 hydroxy kynurenine excretion was significantly elevated in the luteal phase (p=0.030). The relative activity of the serotonergic pathway to the kynurenergic pathway (identified by the ratios 5HT+HIAA/KY+HK and 5HT/KY+HK) were significantly elevated in both the luteal and premenstrual phases compared to the follicular phase (p=0.009 and p=0.005 respectively); indicating that the kynurenergic pathway of tryptophan metabolism may modulate serotonergic metabolism (via HK) during the menstrual cycle; and that the relative and not actual levels of serotonin metabolism may be the important factor when investigating any cyclical effects of the neurotransmitter serotonin.     

Tryptophan Metabolism During the Menstrual Cycle

The metabolism of tryptophan and tryptophan metabolites was investigated during the follicular, luteal and premenstrual phases of the menstrual cycle in 33 healthy women across one cycle. The metabolites of all three pathways of tryptophan ie the serotonergic pathway, the pyrollase pathway and the indole acetic acid pathway, were assayed from urinary prebreakfast samples collected on a repeated measures basis. Urinary 3 hydroxy kynurenine excretion was significantly elevated in the luteal phase (p=0.030). The relative activity of the serotonergic pathway to the kynurenergic pathway (identified by the ratios 5HT+HIAA/KY+HK and 5HT/KY+HK) were significantly elevated in both the luteal and premenstrual phases compared to the follicular phase (p=0.009 and p=0.005 respectively); indicating that the kynurenergic pathway of tryptophan metabolism may modulate serotonergic metabolism (via HK) during the menstrual cycle; and that the relative and not actual levels of serotonin metabolism may be the important factor when investigating any cyclical effects of the neurotransmitter serotonin.     

Subnormal follicular-phase serum progesterone levels and elevated follicular-phase serum estradiol levels in young women with insulin-dependent diabetes

In a search for possible hormonal reasons for the loss of protection from myocardial infarction seen in diabetic women, serum levels of estradiol, progesterone, and luteinizing hormone were compared throughout a menstrual cycle (17 points) in eight healthy nonsmoking women and five otherwise healthy nonsmoking insulin-dependent diabetic women. The total length of the menstrual cycle and the lengths of the follicular and luteal phases did not differ between the groups. During the periovulatory and luteal phases, there was no significant intergroup difference with respect to any of the three hormones. During the follicular phase, in both groups, there was a plateau in serum progesterone concentration, with the level approximately 42% lower in the diabetic group (12.0 +/- 6.6 ng/dl versus 20.7 +/- 5.7; P less than 0.0001). Follicular-phase serum estradiol showed a rising curve in both groups; day-by-day comparison (days -10 to -3 before the luteinizing hormone peak) showed consistently higher levels in the diabetic group (mean, 108 pg/ml versus 95 pg/ml; P less than 0.001). The follicular-phase serum estradiol to progesterone ratio was nearly twice as high in the diabetic group as in the normal group (8.9 versus 4.6), a difference that was highly significant. The finding of elevated serum estradiol and subnormal serum progesterone concentrations during the follicular phase is so far unique to women with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. The possibility that this pronounced abnormality in diabetic women may be related to coronary disease merits testing in suitable in vivo and in vitro models of atherogenesis.     

Plasma insulin and glucagon concentrations and biochemical variables in regularly menstruating females with ovulatory and anovulatory menstrual cycles.

Ovarian hormones are known to affect endocrine pancreas function. However, data concerning the effects of anovulatory menstrual cycles in regularly menstruating women on endocrine pancreas and blood metabolites are lacking. We examined plasma insulin, glucagon, glucose, lactate, urea and glycerol concentrations in reproductive-age, regularly menstruating females classified as ovulating or non-ovulating on the basis of basal body temperature measurements and plasma 17beta-estradiol and progesterone determinations. All measurements were performed twice--in the follicular and again in the luteal phases of the menstrual cycle. There were no differences in plasma lactate and glycerol concentrations between the two groups of subjects. Plasma insulin concentrations tended to be lower in non-ovulating than in ovulating women. In addition, plasma glucagon did not differ in the follicular (33.2 pmol/l) or luteal phase of the menstrual cycle in females with disturbed ovarian hormone secretion (34.1 pmol/l). In contrast, plasma glucagon concentrations in the luteal phase (32.8 pmol/l) were significantly higher than in the follicular phase (24.9 pmol/l) of the menstrual cycle in ovulating women. Plasma glucose concentrations in the follicular phase of the menstrual cycle in non-ovulating women (4.1 mmol/l) were slightly but significantly lower than in their ovulating counterparts (5.3 mmol/l). Furthermore, no correlations were noted between plasma glucose and insulin-to-glucagon molar ratio in non-ovulating subjects. Plasma urea concentrations in non-ovulating women were markedly lower than in ovulating women in both follicular and luteal phases of the menstrual cycle (4.1 and 3.9 mmol/l vs. 5.3 and 5.4 mmol/l in non-ovulating and ovulating women, respectively). In ovulating women, plasma urea levels in both cycle phases were significantly correlated with plasma glucagon concentrations, but no such correlation was found in non-ovulating women. In conclusion, anovulatory menstrual cycles in premenopausal females slightly altered pancreatic hormone plasma levels but markedly impaired their action on plasma glucose and urea concentrations.     

Ovarian cycle phase and same-sex mating behavior in Japanese macaque females

The relationship of the ovarian cycle phase to same-sex mounting activity in adult female Japanese macaques (Macaca fuscata) was studied during the 1997/1998 mating season. Fecal samples were collected from eight female subjects two to three times per week and analyzed by enzyme immunoassay for fecal hormone levels. Hormone profiles of estrone (E1) and pregnanediol (PdG) were used to separate ovarian cycles into three phases: follicular, periovulatory, and luteal. Patterns of same-sex and heterosexual mounting behavior in the females were analyzed for phase variation during conceptive cycles. Same-sex mounting among female Japanese macaques occurred most frequently during the follicular and periovulatory phases of the cycle, and not at all during the luteal phase, paralleling the pattern found in heterosexual mounting behavior. These findings suggest a link between hormonal fluctuations and patterns of sexual mounting, regardless of whether the partner is of the same or opposite sex.     

Serum concentrations of deoxycorticosterone in women during the luteal phase of the ovarian cycle are not suppressed by dexamethasone treatment

We determined the serum levels of deoxycorticosterone (DOC) in plasma of six healthy, apparently ovulatory women during the mid-follicular and mid-luteal phases of their ovarian cycles; and we evaluated the effect of dexamethasone (1 mg by mouth) on the concentrations of DOC and cortisol in serum at times when plasma progesterone levels were high or low. The serum levels of DOC, unlike those of cortisol, did not vary significantly in single blood samples obtained in the morning (8-10 a.m.) and afternoon (3-5 p.m.); and serum DOC levels in women were significantly higher (P less than 0.05) during the mid-luteal phase than during the mid-follicular phase of the cycle. There were unmistakable diurnal variations in serum levels of cortisol, and cortisol concentrations were reduced to less than 20% of pretreatment levels after the ingestion of 1 mg dexamethasone during the mid-follicular or mid-luteal phase. The serum concentrations of DOC were reduced only to approx 70% of pretreatment levels after dexamethasone ingestion during the follicular phase. The serum levels of DOC did not decline significantly after administration of dexamethasone during the mid-luteal phase, when progesterone levels in serum are high (14-16 ng/ml). Blood samples also were obtained at hourly intervals during the 24 h before and after dexamethasone administration in one woman during the follicular phase and in another woman the during the early luteal phase (progesterone levels = 1-3 ng/ml) of the ovarian cycle. DOC levels (pre-dexamethasone) fluctuated in synchrony with those of cortisol in the woman studied during the follicular phase but not in the woman studied during the early luteal phase of the cycle. In the post-dexamethasone period, plasma cortisol levels were suppressed for at least 24 h in both women whereas DOC levels were decreased only partially. We conclude that plasma DOC is derived from both adrenal secretion and from extraadrenal 21-hydroxylation of progesterone--the latter source of DOC is not affected by dexamethasone suppression of ACTH secretion.     

月经周期不同阶段游离皮质醇昼夜节律的变化

为了研究皮质醇分泌的昼夜节律在月经周期中的变化,实验对15位月经周期正常的育龄期健康妇女,在月经周期的不同阶段分别于24h内每隔两小时采样,检测唾液昼夜游离皮质醇水平。采用非线性回归分析模型分析皮质醇昼夜节律。结果显示,皮质醇昼夜节律在整个月经周期都具有复杂的明显受到亚节律(ultradian)影响的分泌形式;与月经期相比,围排卵期和黄体晚期昼夜节律波峰宽度(peak-width)明显减低(P=0．005与0．031),而昼夜节律波谷(trough)有抬高趋势(P=0．0622与0．066);黄体晚期的亚节律波幅(ultradian amplitude)与月经期相比显著减低(P=0．002)而与围排卵期相比有减低趋势(P=0．05)。这些结果提示月经周期的不同阶段对皮质醇分泌的昼夜节律有影响。     

Plasma Steroid and Luteinizing Hormone Levels during Prostaglandin F2α Administration in Luteal Phase of Menstrual Cycle

An intravenous infusion of prostaglandin F₂α (12.5-250μg/min) was administered in four volunteers in the mid-late luteal phase and three in the early luteal phase of the menstrual cycle.Frequent measurement of plasma progesterone, oestrogens, and luteinizing hormone (LH) showed that administration of high doses depressed plasma progesterone levels in the late luteal phase and caused concomitant side effects. Levels of progesterone in the early luteal phase were unaffected. In both phases oestrogen and LH levels were little altered. In two subjects, hourly progesterone levels measured throughout the day at a similar time in a subsequent control menstrual cycle showed an appreciable variation in one but steady levels in the second. This variation may contribute to the magnitude of the fall in progesterone noted during the infusion of prostaglandins.