Reduced sensitivity to glucocorticoid feedback and reduced glucocorticoid receptor mRNA expression in the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle. Academic Article uri icon

Overview

abstract

  • We examined the effects of the menstrual cycle on hypothalamic-pituitary adrenal axis regulation in healthy women with no history of psychiatric illness by measuring plasma cortisol responses to a low-dose (0.25 mg) of dexamethasone (N = 23) and by measuring glucocorticoid receptor (type II) mRNA expression in lymphocytes using Northern blotting (N = 19). Both measures were performed in the early follicular and mid-luteal phases of the menstrual cycle. Dexamethasone suppression of plasma cortisol was greater in the follicular phase of the menstrual cycle compared to the mid-luteal phase (p < .01). In addition, type II glucocorticoid receptor mRNA expression in lymphocytes was 78% higher in the follicular phase compared to the mid-luteal phase (p < .02). These results indicate that glucocorticoid feedback regulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis is reduced in the mid-luteal phase of the menstrual cycle. Reduced feedback regulation of central stress response systems may play a role in generation of common premenstrual symptoms of irritability and dysphoria.

publication date

  • August 1, 1997

Research

keywords

  • Feedback
  • Hydrocortisone
  • Luteal Phase
  • Menstrual Cycle
  • Receptors, Glucocorticoid

Identity

Scopus Document Identifier

  • 0030849235

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

  • 10.1016/S0893-133X(97)00039-0

PubMed ID

  • 9252985

Additional Document Info

volume

  • 17

issue

  • 2