Effect of oral contraceptives intake on postural stability in young healthy women throughout the menstrual cycle.

The purpose of the study was to investigate the effect of oral contraceptives on static postural stability in young healthy women during their menstrual cycle. Twenty-three women with the regular menstrual cycle, using or not using oral contraceptives, participated in this study. Salivary progesterone and estradiol levels were measured during one menstrual cycle. Measurements of balance were performed during a quiet stance on a firm and foam surface by the force platform, with eyes either opened or closed, on day 2, 7, 14, 21 and 28 of the cycle. Results of stability on a firm surface with eyes opened showed a significant effect in the amplitude of body sway in the anterior-posterior direction since women using oral contraceptives had a lower amplitude compared to control women on day 28. During stance on a firm surface with eyes closed we showed only impact of the menstrual cycle on postural stability of women. In condition of stance on a foam surface with the eyes opened or closed no significant effects were found. Our results showed that oral contraceptives intake can improve the static postural stability before the onset of menstruation and decrease a risk of injury of young healthy women.

Angiotensin II enhancement during pregnancy influences the emotionality of rat offspring (Rattus norvegicus) in adulthood. Potential use of the Rat Grimace Scale.

OBJECTIVES: One of the systems, which can be prenatally reprogrammed, is the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS). The aim of our experiment was to determine how prenatal activation of RAAS via exposure to elevated levels of angiotensin II (Ang II) influences the rat offspring's emotionality. METHODS: Pregnant female rats were implanted with osmotic minipumps that continually released Ang II and oval object of the same shape and size was implanted into control dams. The adult offspring (AngII and control groups) were tested in rat grimace scale (RGS), open field test (OF) and elevated plus maze (EPM). RESULTS: Psychological stress increased the RGS score in both groups of animals. AngII animals had significantly lower RGS score (i.e. less negative emotions) in the home cage but higher index of emotional reactivity in RGS. AngII animals had also significantly lower frequency of defecation in OF and had no effect on changes in anxiety-like behaviour. CONCLUSION: We concluded that maternal activation of RAAS modified some aspect of emotionality of experimental animals and led to an enhanced emotional response to stress situation.

Diurnal changes of the postural control in young women without and with hormonal contraceptive treatment.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate diurnal changes of the postural control in young women without and with hormonal contraceptive treatment. METHODS: The postural activity was assessed during stance from two accelerometers positioned at the level of the lumbar (L5) and thoracic (Th4) vertebra in twenty healthy young women non-using (13) and using (7) hormonal contraception. RESULTS: We observed a significant increase of trunk tilts in the morning in the group of women with hormonal contraception compared to control. Women with hormonal contraception showed the significant decrease of trunk tilts and their velocity in the evening in relation to increased morning data at the L5 in anterior-posterior direction during stance on foam. Measurements at Th4 showed higher variability of lateral trunk tilts in conditions with altered somatosensory inputs. Distinct reduction of velocity of lateral trunk tilts in the evening related to morning measurements were present in the control group at the L5 in conditions with altered somatosensory inputs and at the Th4 in all experimental conditions in both groups. CONCLUSION: We demonstrated diurnal changes of the postural control in young women. Women using hormonal contraceptives showed a weakened postural stability compared with the control group in the morning and the normalization of postural stability in the evening to the values of the control group. These findings suggest that the time of day and the use of hormonal contraception affect postural stability of women.