Assessment of variations in arterial tone during different phases of menstrual cycle

Background: Arterial tone parameters in young African women during the different phases of menstrual cycle were assessed in the present study.Methods: Out of the 30 student volunteers who participated in the study, only 15 completed the study. Anthropometric data using stadiometer, blood pressure using automated oscillometric pressure gauge were measured. Arterial stiffness parameters at the radial and ECG gated carotid and femoral arteries using sphygmocor tonometry was mesured in two consecutive menstrual cycles at early follicular, ovulation and luteal phase. Estrogen and progesterone concentrations were analyzed using Elisa kits in all three phases.Results: Estrogen level in ovulation phase and progesterone in luteal phase were higher. Peripheral augmentation index in ovulation phase was higher compared to luteal phase. Pulse pressure amplification value at follicular and luteal phases was higher than in ovulation phase. Pulse wave velocity and pulse pressure amplification was negatively correlated to progesterone in follicular phase. The arterial stiffness increased at ovulation and decreased in follicular and luteal phases of menstrual cycle.Conclusions: No significant correlation between arterial stiffness parameters and ovarian hormones was found.

Lipids in accessory sex glands of immature, mature and castrated male rats.

The distribution of lipids in accessory sex glands of male rats (immature, adult and castrated) has been analysed. The total lipids and phospholipids in adult rats were maximum in caput epididymis and minimal in prostate. An intermediary picture existed in the cauda epididymis and seminal vesicle. In general, phosphatidyl choline and ethanolamine were the major phospholipids in the tissues. Castration depleted the phospholipids in all the tissues. Glycerides were found to accumulate in caput and cauda epididymis, but were depleted in seminal vesicle and prostate in castrated rats. In immature rats, the total lipids were more than that of adults in caput and cauda epididymis but were less in seminal vesicle and prostate. It is suggested that these discrepancies may be due to the differences in the endogenous titres of hormones, and/or associated with structural and functional specificity of the tissues.

Lipid pattern in female reproductive tissues during different phases of estrous cycle.

The normal pattern of lipids during various phases of estrous cycle in different reproductive tissues of female rats was analysed. The various lipid calsses undergo striking cyclical changes in harmony with the rhythm of endogenous gonadal and gonadotrophic hormones. A comparison of lipid pattern was made between various phases of estrous cycle. Ovary exhibited marked alterations in the distribution of lipids in different phases of the cycle compared to other tissues. Total lipids were maximum in diestrus phospholipids in estrus with a concomittant fall in triglycerides in all the tissues. The fluctuation in oviductal and vaginal lipids was much less compared to other tissues. Hormone-lipid interrelationship and tissue specificity may be attributed to these changes.

Influence of hormones on accessory sex glands in males.

Administration of testosterone, oestrogen, progesterone and prolactin for seven days affected the epididymal lipids markedly whereas seminal vesicular and prostatic lipids were less affected. The increase in total lipids of caput epididymis by testosterone, oestrogen and progesterone was due to an elevation in neutral and phospholipid contents. However, progesterone alone caused an increase in total lipids of the cauda epididymides while oestrogen and prolactin decreased the same. In seminal vesicle and prostate, testosterone elicited a significant rise in total lipids. However, an opposite trend was obvious by the other three hormones. Testosterone alone was effective in elevating the total lipids, phospholipid, cholesterol and glycerides in prostates. Prolactin does not affect the prostatic lipids markedly. The significance of the lipid changes are discussed in relation to various physiological activities of sex accessories.

Hormonal influence on epididymal lipids.

Single dose administration of Prolactin(P), Progesterone (PP) and a combination of both (PPP) affected the epididymal lipids considerably. Caput and Cauda showed differential responses. PP and PPP showed significant alterations in Caput epididymis. However, Prolactin was effective in Cauda epididymis. The importance of these changes in relation to physiological functions of epididymis is discussed.