Progesterone and negative emotionality across and between ovulatory cycles: A study of romantically involved women.

Normalization of QT interval duration in a long QT syndrome patient during pregnancy and the postpartum period due to sex hormone effects on cardiac repolarization

To determine the effect of the menstrual cycle on optic nerve head topographic analysis in normally menstruating, healthy women. The study included single eyes selected randomly from each of 52 healthy women with regular menstrual cycles. All subjects underwent a complete ocular examination. Optic nerve head topographic analyses were performed using a confocal scanning laser ophthalmoscope, the Heidelberg Retinal Tomograph II (HRT II, software version 1.6). The analyses were repeated three times during the menstrual cycle: in the follicular phase (days 7-10 of the cycle), at ovulation, and in the late luteal phase (days 1-3 before menstrual bleeding). Serum oestradiol, progesterone and luteinizing hormone levels were measured at each menstrual phase. Fourteen subjects were excluded from the study. The mean age of the subjects (n = 38) was 25.6 +/- 3.7 years (range 21-34 years). Blood oestradiol levels were significantly lower in the late luteal phase (35.8 pg/ml) (p < 0.0001). The mean disc area of the subjects was 1.94 +/- 0.33 mm(2). The neuroretinal rim area decreased significantly during the luteal phase (p < 0.001). However, the linear cup : disc ratio, cup : disc area ratio and the cup area were significantly higher during the luteal phase (p < 0.001). These observations raise the possibility that sex hormone fluctuations which occur during a normal menstrual cycle in healthy women significantly alter neuroretinal rim area and cup variables of the optic nerve head. These findings should be taken into consideration in the clinical follow-up of young women with glaucoma.

Abstract. In 9 normally menstruating women undergoing surgical sterilization by tubal ligation the levels of 12 unconjugated steroids and 4 steroid sulphates were analyzed in the peripheral circulation and in the venous blood draining both ovaries before and after the surgical removal of a freshly formed corpus luteum. In addition, the peripheral levels of progesterone, 20α-dihydroprogesterone, 17-hydroxyprogesterone, oestradiol and oestrone were measured during 3 pre-operative and 3 post-operative days. The levels of pregnenolone, 17-hydroxypregnenolone, progesterone, 20α-dihydroprogesterone and cortisol were significantly higher in the venous blood draining the 'active' ovary (containing the corpus luteum) than in the blood draining the contralateral 'inactive' ovary. Furthermore, compared to the values found in the peripheral blood, the levels of pregnenolone, 17-hydroxypregnenolone, dehydroepiandrosterone, progesterone, 17-hydroxyprogesterone, androstenedione, testosterone and oestradiol were significantly higher in the blood draining both ovaries, whereas 20α-dihydroprogesterone, oestrone and cortisol levels were significantly higher only in the blood draining the 'active' ovary. Enucleation of the corpus luteum resulted in the following changes: 1) It abolished the previous differences between steroid levels of the blood draining the two ovaries, with the exception of the 20α-dihydroprogesterone levels, which remained elevated in the blood draining the ovary that previously contained the corpus luteum. 2) It diminished the levels of progesterone, 17-hydroxyprogesterone, 20α-dihydroprogesterone, androstenedione, oestradiol and oestrone and increased those of cortisol and pregnenolone sulphate in the blood draining the ovary from which the corpus luteum had been removed. 3) It decreased the peripheral levels of progesterone and oestradiol and increased those of pregnenolone, 17-hydroxypregnenolone, dehydroepiandrosterone, androstenedione, cortisol and pregnenolone sulphate. 4) After the removal of the corpus luteum, the levels of progesterone, 17-hydroxyprogesterone, androstenedione, testosterone and oestradiol remained significantly elevated in the venous blood draining both ovaries when compared to their peripheral levels. 5) The peripheral levels of progesterone, 17-hydroxyprogesterone, oestradiol and oestrone dropped to very low early follicular phase values within 24 h following the removal of the corpus luteum. In contrast, the levels of 20α-dihydroprogesterone reached early follicular phase levels only on the 3rd post-operative day. It is concluded that the most important steroids secreted by the human corpus luteum are progesterone, 20α-dihydroprogesterone, 17-hydroxyprogesterone, oestradiol and oestrone. Some pregnenolone, 17-hydroxypregnenolone and androstenedione may also be secreted by the corpus luteum. In addition, both ovaries secrete progesterone, 17-hydroxyprogesterone, androstenedione, testosterone, oestradiol and probably also pregnenolone, 17-hydroxypregnenolone and dehydroepiandrosterone. The surgical stress associated with the laparotomy resulted in elevated plasma levels of a number of adrenal steroids, many of which are normally also produced by the ovaries. The presence of these steroids and of their ovarian metabolites in the venous blood draining the ovaries imposes major limitations on the interpretation of results obtained in short-term studies, unless complemented with the long-term assessment of the peripheral steroid levels.

This study was carried out using 30 adult female rhesus monkeys in order to determine the effects of daily administration of ketamine HC1 (8-10 mg/kg) upon menstrual cycle length, incidence of ovula-tory menstrual cycles, and blood estrogen and progesterone levels throughout the cycle. In physically restrained control monkeys (25 cycles subjected to daily blood sampling) there were 14 of 25 or 56% ovu-latory cycles, and in ketamine-treated monkeys (32 menstrual cycles subjected to daily blood sampling) there were 28 of 32 or 88% ovulatory cycles. The length of the menstrual cycle was the same in both groups. The levels and time course of peripheral serum estrogen and progesterone levels were the same in the ovulatory cycles of both groups. In some of the control cycles (30%) and in some of the ketamine-treated cycles (25%) there were luteal phases in which the preovulatory estrogen levels were normal and in which the luteal-phase progesterone levels were low and variable 6-8 days after the preovulatory surge. It can be concluded that the daily use of ketamine HC1 does not significantly alter menstrual cycle length, or serum estrogen or progesterone levels throughout the menstrual cycle. It reduced the incidence of anovulatory cycles and premature menstrual induction probably by reducing the stress of restraining the monkey for the purpose of taking a blood sample.

By the use of a non-thrombogenic pump, blood was withdrawn continuously at a rate of 4.0 ml/h over a period of 48 h from 10 normally menstruating women during various phases of the peri-ovulatory period and the integrated levels of oestradiol, oestrone, 17-hydroxyprogesterone, progesterone, 20α-dihydroprogesterone and biologically active luteinizing hormone (LH) were estimated in 3-hourly plasma collections. The first significant change detected two days prior to the LH surge (day LH-2) in one subject studied during this period was a continuous parallel rise in oestradiol and oestrone levels, which occurred in the absence of any simultaneous change in LH and 17-hydroxyprogesterone levels. Marked fluctuations followed by a sudden drop in oestradiol levels were observed in another woman during the day preceding the LH peak (day LH-1). These changes were not associated with similar alterations in oestrone levels. The marked drop in oestradiol coincided with the beginning of a simultaneous major rise in LH and 17-hydroxyprogesterone levels followed some 6 to 9 h later by a small but significant increase in progesterone levels. The period of the LH surge (day LH) was studied in 3 women. This period was characterised by a constant decline in oestradiol levels in the presence of unchanged oestrone values. The decrease in oestradiol levels preceded the LH peak by at least 12 h. The LH peak was biphasic in all subjects; both the ascending and descending limbs of it were significantly correlated to similarly changing levels of 17-hydroxyprogesterone. The increase in these two hormones preceded that in progesterone levels, which occurred later, at the time of the steepest rise in LH levels. The findings of the subsequent day (day LH+1) were characterised in two subjects by a parallel decrease in plasma oestradiol, LH and 17-hydroxyprogesterone levels, until a plateau was reached. This plateau coincided with a new rise in progesterone and 20α-dihydroprogesterone levels. The hormonal profile observed two days following the LH surge (day LH + 2) in 3 women was similar to that of the preceding day, with the exception of a beginning new rise in 17-hydroxyprogesterone levels by the end of day LH + 2. This second rise in 17-hydroxyprogesterone paralleled that in progesterone and 20α-dihydroprogesterone levels and occurred in the presence of decreasing levels of LH. The data reported strongly suggest that different control mechanisms are involved in the regulation of ovarian steroid secretion during the various phases of the peri-ovulatory period.

A comparative analysis of the levels of estradiol and progesterone in the blood, immunohistochemical parameters of estrogen receptors and progesterone in endometrium in women with a history of reproductive disorders is presented. It was found that all women had an ovulatory ovarian cycle, levels of estradiol and progesterone in the blood were within the reference values. In women with reproductive failures in the history (n=107), four types of hormone-receptor response in the endometrium were identified. In 46 (43%) women, the first (normoreceptor) type of endometrial response was detected, without significant differences from the control group (n=15) corresponding to the middle stage of the secretion phase. Hyperreceptor (hyper-estrogen-progesterone-receptor, hyper-estrogen-receptor, hyper-progesterone-receptor) types have been identified in 61 patients (57%) with reproductive dysfunctions. The endometrium corresponded to the mid secretory phase was detected in 47 (44%), inadequate secretory phase of the endometrium - in 60 (56%) women with reproductive failures in the anamnesis. All women in the control group had a full secretory change in the endometrium. In general, more than half (61 (57%)) of women with reproductive failures in the history with the ovulatory menstrual cycle with normal values of the level of progesterone in the blood showed signs of a decreased endometrial receptivity status. This indicates that the ovulatory level of progesterone in the blood is not an unconditional predictor of full secretory transformations of the endometrium.

Can measuring the luteal phase progesterone level bridge the divide between the Atlantic?

Preclinical and human laboratory research suggests that (a) progesterone may decrease drug reward, craving, and smoking behavior, and (b) estradiol may enhance drug reward and smoking behavior. A modest majority of treatment research examining the relationship between menstrual cycle phase and outcomes suggests that the luteal menstrual phase, with its uniquely higher progesterone levels, is associated with better cessation outcomes. However, no studies to date have examined the effects of naturally occurring variation in progesterone and estradiol levels on medication-assisted smoking cessation. The present study sought to fill this notable gap in the treatment literature. Weekly plasma progesterone and estradiol levels were obtained from nicotine-dependent female smokers enrolled in a 4-week cessation trial. Participants (N = 108) were randomized to receive a 4-week course of either varenicline (VAR) tablets and placebo patches or placebo tablets and nicotine patches. Plasma samples were obtained 1 week before their cessation attempt and weekly during medication administration. Abstinence was assessed weekly. Weekly hormone data replicated commonly observed menstrual cycle patterns of progesterone and estradiol levels. Importantly, increases in progesterone level were associated with a 23% increase in the odds for being abstinent within each week of treatment. This effect was driven primarily by nicotine patch-treated versus VAR-treated females. This study was the first to identify an association between progesterone level (increasing) and abstinence outcomes in free-cycling women smokers who participated in a medication-based treatment. Furthermore, the potential benefits of progesterone may vary across different pharmacotherapies. Implications of these findings for smoking cessation intervention are discussed.

This study aimed to investigate the relationship between serum levels of estrogen (estradiol), progesterone, and serum cancer antigen 125 (CA-125) and the risk of developing endometrioid endometrial cancer (EEC) in postmenopausal women, as well as to evaluate their prognostic significance. A total of 160 postmenopausal women over the age of 50 were included in this retrospective study. Among these, patients with histopathologically confirmed endometrioid endometrial cancer were selected. Serum estradiol, progesterone, and CA-125 levels, obtained within one week before surgery, were analyzed according to disease stage. Correlation analyses between hormone levels and cancer stages were conducted using Pearson's correlation test. The findings demonstrated a positive association between elevated serum CA-125 levels and advanced stages of EEC. Estradiol and progesterone levels were decreased in postmenopausal women, and lower serum levels of progesterone and estradiol were inversely associated with the risk of EEC. A positive correlation was observed between progesterone and estradiol levels, while negative correlations were identified between CA-125 and progesterone and estradiol levels. An increase in serum CA-125 levels was positively correlated with advanced stages of EEC, whereas decreased levels of progesterone and estradiol were inversely related to cancer risk. These findings suggest that further large-scale prospective studies are warranted to validate the prognostic value of these biomarkers.

Hormone-mediated quiescence involves the maintenance of a decreased inflammatory responsiveness. However, no study has investigated whether labor induction with prostanoids is associated with changes in the levels of maternal serum hormones. The objective of this study was to determine whether labor induction with dinoprostone is associated with changes in maternal serum progesterone, estradiol, and estriol levels. Blood samples were obtained from 81 pregnant women at term. Sixteen patients had vaginal birth after spontaneous labor, 12 required cesarean section after spontaneous labor and 16 underwent elective cesarean. Thirty-seven patients had labor induction with dinoprostone. Eligible patients received a vaginal insert of dinoprostone (10 mg) and were followed until delivery. Serum progesterone (P4), estradiol (E2) and estriol (E3) levels and changes in P4/E2, P4/E3 and E3/E2 ratios were monitored from admission to immediately before birth, and the association of these measures with the resulting clinical classification outcome (route of delivery and induction responsiveness) was assessed. Progesterone levels decreased from admission to birth in patients who underwent successful labor induction with dinoprostone [vaginal and cesarean birth after induced labor: 23% (P < 0.001) and 18% (P < 0.025) decrease, respectively], but not in those whose induction failed (6.4% decrease, P > 0.05). Estriol and estradiol levels, P4/E2, P4/E3 and E3/E2 ratios did not differ between groups. Successful dinoprostone-induced labor was associated with reduced maternal progesterone levels from induction to birth. While a causal relationship between progesterone decrease and effective dinoprostone-induced labor cannot be established, it is tempting to propose that dinoprostone may contribute to progesterone withdrawal and favor labor induction in humans.

Hormone-mediated quiescence involves the maintenance of a decreased inflammatory responsiveness. However, no study has investigated whether labor induction with prostanoids is associated with changes in the levels of maternal serum hormones. The objective of this study was to determine whether labor induction with dinoprostone is associated with changes in maternal serum progesterone, estradiol, and estriol levels. Blood samples were obtained from 81 pregnant women at term. Sixteen patients had vaginal birth after spontaneous labor, 12 required cesarean section after spontaneous labor and 16 underwent elective cesarean. Thirty-seven patients had labor induction with dinoprostone. Eligible patients received a vaginal insert of dinoprostone (10 mg) and were followed until delivery. Serum progesterone (P4), estradiol (E2) and estriol (E3) levels and changes in P4/E2, P4/E3 and E3/E2 ratios were monitored from admission to immediately before birth, and the association of these measures with the resulting clinical classification outcome (route of delivery and induction responsiveness) was assessed. Progesterone levels decreased from admission to birth in patients who underwent successful labor induction with dinoprostone [vaginal and cesarean birth after induced labor: 23% (P < 0.001) and 18% (P < 0.025) decrease, respectively], but not in those whose induction failed (6.4% decrease, P > 0.05). Estriol and estradiol levels, P4/E2, P4/E3 and E3/E2 ratios did not differ between groups. Successful dinoprostone-induced labor was associated with reduced maternal progesterone levels from induction to birth. While a causal relationship between progesterone decrease and effective dinoprostone-induced labor cannot be established, it is tempting to propose that dinoprostone may contribute to progesterone withdrawal and favor labor induction in humans.

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

Recent human and animal studies have found associations between gut microbiota composition and serum levels of sex hormones, indicating that they could be an important factor in shaping the microbiota. However, little is known about the effect of regular hormonal fluctuations over the menstrual cycle or CHC-related changes of hormone levels on gut microbiota structure, diversity and dynamics. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of CHCs on human gut microbiota composition. The effect of CHC pill intake on gut microbiota composition was studied in a group of 7 healthy pre-menopausal women using the CHC pill, compared to the control group of 9 age-matched healthy women that have not used hormonal contraceptives in the six months prior the start of the study. By analyzing the gut microbiota composition in both groups during one menstrual cycle, we found that CHC usage is associated with a minor decrease in gut microbiota diversity and differences in the abundance of several bacterial taxa. These results call for further investigation of the mechanisms underlying hormonal and hormonal contraceptive-related changes of the gut microbiota and the potential implications of these changes for women's health. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Introduction: The serum levels of oestrogen and progesterone in the luteal phase of In-vitro Fertilisation (IVF) cycles using the long agonist protocol may play a role in predicting the outcome of the cycle. Aim: To determine the levels of oestrogen and progesterone in the early luteal phase of IVF cycles and their association with the pregnancy rate. Materials and Methods: A prospective cohort study was conducted in the IVF centre at Maulana Azad Medical College, Delhi, India, from September 2014 to August 2016. A total of 150 women undergoing IVF were recruited over a period of two years and underwent IVF using the standard long agonist protocol. Luteal phase support was provided according to the Institutional protocol. Blood samples were collected on the day of Ovum Pick Up (OPU) (day 0), the day of embryo transfer (day 3), the day of implantation (day 6), and the day of confirmation of biochemical pregnancy (day 17) to estimate serum Estradiol (E2) and Progesterone (P) levels. Statistical analysis was performed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 16.0, and a p-value &lt;0.05 was considered significant. Results: The mean age of patients in the study was 31.17±1.09 years, and the mean duration of infertility was 8.2±4.2 years. Serum E2 (day 6, 1403.23±376.67 vs 1258.98±354.31 pg/mL; p=0.02) as well as P4 levels (day 6, 77.82±21.82 vs 68.90±22.17 pg/mL; p=0.01) were significantly higher on the day of implantation and day of confirmation of biochemical pregnancy (day 17, E2 541.80±498.01 vs 289.34±171.94 pg/mL, p&lt;0.001; P4 70.61±121.47 vs 36.17±16.63 pg/mL, p&lt;0.001) among those who conceived compared to those who did not conceive. Conclusion: Serum E2 and P4 levels in the luteal phase may help guide luteal phase support and serve as predictors of a successful cycle outcome in women undergoing IVF using the long agonist protocol.

BackgroundElevated pregnancy hormone levels, such as oestrogen and progesterone, may increase the risk of developing breast cancer both in mothers and offspring. However, the reasons for large inter-individual variations in estrogen and progesterone levels during pregnancy remain unknown. The objectives of this study were to investigate whether a) intakes of total dietary fat, types of fat (monounsaturated: MUFA, polyunsaturated: n-3 and n-6 PUFA, and saturated) and b) gestational weight gain are associated with estradiol and progesterone levels in plasma during pregnancy.MethodsWe measured body weight as well as estradiol and progesterone in plasma among 226 healthy pregnant Swedish women on gestation weeks 12, 25 and 33. At the same time points, dietary intake of total fat and types of fat (MUFA, PUFA, SFA, n-3 and n-6 PUFA) were estimated using 3-day food diaries.ResultsA large variation in estradiol and progesterone levels was evident.Nulliparous women had 37%, 12% and 30% higher mean estradiol levels on gestation weeks 12, 25 and 33 compared to parous women (P = 0.008). No associations were found between dietary intake of total fat or fat subtypes (including n-3 PUFA and n-6 PUFA) and plasma estradiol or progesterone levels. Gestational weight gain was associated with progesterone levels (P = 0.03) but the effect was very small (20% increase in progesterone levels between gestational weeks 12 and 33 per kg body weight/week).ConclusionNo associations among gestational weight gain, maternal dietary fat intake (total or subtypes including n-3 PUFA and n-6 PUFA) and plasma estradiol levels were found. However, pregnancy progesterone levels correlated with weight gain during pregnancy. Identification of other possible determinants of pregnancy estradiol and progesterone levels, important for the development of breast cancer in both mothers and offspring, are needed.