Talk:Menstrual Cycle: Difference between revisions

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==2010==
==2010==
===Characterization of chaotic dynamics in the human menstrual cycle===
Nonlinear Biomed Phys. 2010 Oct 5;4(1):5.
Derry G, Derry P.
Source
Department of Physics, Loyola University Maryland, Baltimore, MD 21210, USA. gderry@loyola.edu.
Abstract
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND:
The human menstrual cycle is known to exhibit a significant amount of unexplained variability. This variation is typically dismissed as random fluctuations in an otherwise periodic and predictable system. Given the many delayed nonlinear feedbacks in the multiple levels of the reproductive endocrine system, however, the menstrual cycle can properly be construed as the output of a nonlinear dynamical system, and such a system has the possibility of being in a chaotic trajectory. We hypothesize that this is in fact the case and that it accounts for the observed variability.
RESULTS:
Here, we test this hypothesis by performing time series analyses on data for 7749 menstrual cycles from 40 women in the 20-40 year age range, using the database maintained by the Tremin Research Program on Women's Health. Both raw menstrual cycle length data and a formal time series constructed from this data are utilized in these analyses. Employing phase space reconstruction techniques with a maximum embedding dimension of 12, we find appropriate scaling behavior in the correlation sums for these data, indicating low dimensional deterministic dynamics. A correlation dimension of Dc ≈ 5.2 is measured in the scaling regime. This result is confirmed by recalculation using the Takens estimator and by surrogate data tests. We interpret this result as an approximation to the fractal dimension of a strange attractor governing chaotic dynamics in the menstrual cycle. We also use the time series to calculate the correlation entropy (K2 ≈ 0.008/τ) and the maximal Lyapunov exponent (λ ≈ 0.005/τ) for the system, where τ is the sampling time of the series.
CONCLUSIONS:
Taken collectively, these results constitute significant evidence that the menstrual cycle is the result of chaos in a nonlinear dynamical system. This view of the menstrual cycle has potential implications for clinical practice, modelling of the endocrine system, and the interpretation of the perimenopausal transition.
PMID: 20923559
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov:80/pubmed/20923559


===Menstrual cycle and hormonal contraceptive use modulate human brain structure===
===Menstrual cycle and hormonal contraceptive use modulate human brain structure===

Revision as of 13:54, 17 May 2011

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Cite this page: Hill, M.A. (2024, March 28) Embryology Menstrual Cycle. Retrieved from https://embryology.med.unsw.edu.au/embryology/index.php/Talk:Menstrual_Cycle


Menstrual Cycle Graphs

2011

Comprehensive analysis of leukocytes, vascularization and matrix metalloproteinases in human menstrual xenograft model

PLoS One. 2011 Feb 17;6(2):e16840.

Guo Y, He B, Xu X, Wang J.

Graduate School, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, People's Republic of China. Abstract In our previous study, menstrual-like changes in mouse were provoked through the pharmacologic withdrawal of progesterone with mifepristone following induction of decidualization. However, mouse is not a natural menstruation animal, and the menstruation model using external stimuli may not truly reflect the occurrence and development of the human menstrual process. Therefore, we established a model of menstruation based on human endometrial xenotransplantation. In this model, human endometrial tissues were transplanted subcutaneously into SCID mice that were ovarectomized and supplemented with estrogen and progestogen by silastic implants with a scheme imitating the endocrinological milieu of human menstrual cycle. Morphology, hormone levels, and expression of vimentin and cytokeratin markers were evaluated to confirm the menstrual-like changes in this model. With 28 days of hormone treatment, transplanted human endometrium survived and underwent proliferation, differentiation and disintegration, similar to human endometrium in vivo. Human CD45+ cells showed a peak of increase 28 days post-transplantation. Three days after progesterone withdrawal, mouse CD45+ cells increased rapidly in number and were significantly greater than human CD45+ cell counts. Mouse CD31+ blood vascular-like structures were detected in both transplanted and host tissues. After progesterone withdrawal, the expression levels of matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) 1, 2, and 9 were increased. In summary, we successfully established a human endometrial xenotransplantation model in SCID mice, based on the results of menstrual-like changes in which MMP-1, 2 and 9 are involved. We showed that leukocytes are originated from in situ proliferation in human xenografts and involved in the occurrence of menstruation. This model will help to further understand the occurrence, growth, and differentiation of the endometrium and the underlying mechanisms of menstruation.

PMID: 21379384 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21379384

2010

Characterization of chaotic dynamics in the human menstrual cycle

Nonlinear Biomed Phys. 2010 Oct 5;4(1):5.

Derry G, Derry P. Source Department of Physics, Loyola University Maryland, Baltimore, MD 21210, USA. gderry@loyola.edu. Abstract ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND: The human menstrual cycle is known to exhibit a significant amount of unexplained variability. This variation is typically dismissed as random fluctuations in an otherwise periodic and predictable system. Given the many delayed nonlinear feedbacks in the multiple levels of the reproductive endocrine system, however, the menstrual cycle can properly be construed as the output of a nonlinear dynamical system, and such a system has the possibility of being in a chaotic trajectory. We hypothesize that this is in fact the case and that it accounts for the observed variability.

RESULTS: Here, we test this hypothesis by performing time series analyses on data for 7749 menstrual cycles from 40 women in the 20-40 year age range, using the database maintained by the Tremin Research Program on Women's Health. Both raw menstrual cycle length data and a formal time series constructed from this data are utilized in these analyses. Employing phase space reconstruction techniques with a maximum embedding dimension of 12, we find appropriate scaling behavior in the correlation sums for these data, indicating low dimensional deterministic dynamics. A correlation dimension of Dc ≈ 5.2 is measured in the scaling regime. This result is confirmed by recalculation using the Takens estimator and by surrogate data tests. We interpret this result as an approximation to the fractal dimension of a strange attractor governing chaotic dynamics in the menstrual cycle. We also use the time series to calculate the correlation entropy (K2 ≈ 0.008/τ) and the maximal Lyapunov exponent (λ ≈ 0.005/τ) for the system, where τ is the sampling time of the series.

CONCLUSIONS: Taken collectively, these results constitute significant evidence that the menstrual cycle is the result of chaos in a nonlinear dynamical system. This view of the menstrual cycle has potential implications for clinical practice, modelling of the endocrine system, and the interpretation of the perimenopausal transition.

PMID: 20923559 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov:80/pubmed/20923559

Menstrual cycle and hormonal contraceptive use modulate human brain structure

Brain Res. 2010 Aug 12;1348:55-62. Epub 2010 Jun 13.

Pletzer B, Kronbichler M, Aichhorn M, Bergmann J, Ladurner G, Kerschbaum HH.

Department of Cell Biology, Paris-Lodron-University Salzburg, Hellbrunnerstrasse 34, 5020 Salzburg, Austria. Belinda.Pletzer@sbg.ac.at Abstract Sex differences in human brain structure have repeatedly been described, but results are inconsistent. However, these studies hardly controlled for cycle phase of women or the use of hormonal contraceptives. Our study shows that these factors are not negligible, but have a considerable influence on human brain structure. We acquired high-resolution structural images from the brains of 14 men, 14 women, who did not use, and 14 women, who did use hormonal contraceptives. Women, who did not use hormonal contraceptives, were scanned twice, once during their early follicular and once during their mid-luteal cycle-phase. Regional gray matter volumes were compared by voxel-based morphometry. Men had larger hippocampi, parahippocampal and fusiform gyri, amygdalae and basal ganglia than women. Women showed larger gray matter volumes in the prefrontal cortex, pre- and postcentral gyri. These sex-dependent effects were modulated by menstrual cycle phases and hormonal contraceptives. We found larger volumes in the right fusiform/parahippocampal gyrus during early follicular compared to mid-luteal cycle phase. Women using hormonal contraceptives showed significantly larger prefrontal cortices, pre- and postcentral gyri, parahippocampal and fusiform gyri and temporal regions, compared to women not using contraceptives.

PMID: 20550945

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20550945

2009

Ovarian aging: mechanisms and clinical consequences

Endocr Rev. 2009 Aug;30(5):465-93. Epub 2009 Jul 9.

Broekmans FJ, Soules MR, Fauser BC.

Department of Reproductive Medicine and Gynecology, University Medical Center, Utrecht, The Netherlands. f.broekmans@umcutrecht.nl Abstract Menopause is the final step in the process referred to as ovarian ageing. The age related decrease in follicle numbers dictates the onset of cycle irregularity and the final cessation of menses. The parallel decay in oocyte quality contributes to the gradual decline in fertility and the final occurrence of natural sterility. Endocrine changes mainly relate to the decline in the negative feedback from ovarian factors at the hypothalamo-pituitary unit. The declining cohort of antral follicles with age first results in gradually elevated FSH levels, followed by subsequent stages of overt cycle irregularity. The gradual decline in the size of the antral follicle cohort is best represented by decreasing levels of anti-Mullerian hormone. The variability of ovarian ageing among women is evident from the large variation in age at menopause. The identification of women who have severely decreased ovarian reserve for their age is clinically relevant. Ovarian reserve tests have appeared to be fairly accurate in predicting response to ovarian stimulation in the assisted reproductive technology (ART) setting. The capacity to predict the chances for spontaneous pregnancy or pregnancy after ART appears very limited. As menopause and the preceding decline in oocyte quality seem to have a fixed time interval, tests that predict the age at menopause may be useful to assess individual reproductive lifespan. Especially genetic studies, both addressing candidate gene and genome wide association, have identified several interesting loci of small genetic variation that may determine fetal follicle pool development and subsequent wastage of his pool over time. Improved knowledge of the ovarian ageing mechanisms may ultimately provide tools for prediction of menopause and manipulation of the early steps of folliculogenesis for the purpose of contraception and fertility lifespan extension.

PMID: 19589949

Human studies on genetics of the age at natural menopause: a systematic review

Abstract

BACKGROUND Timing of natural menopause has great implications for fertility and women's health. Age at natural menopause (ANM) is largely influenced by genetic factors. In the past decade, several genetic studies have been conducted to identify genes in ANM, which can help us unravel the biological pathways underlying this trait and the associated infertility and health risks. After providing an overview of the results of the genetic studies performed so far, we give recommendations for future studies in identifying genetic factors involved in determining the variation in timing of natural menopause.

METHODS The electronic databases of Pubmed and Embase were systematically searched until September 2009 for genetic studies on ANM, using relevant keywords on the subject. Additional papers identified through hand search were also included.

RESULTS Twenty-eight papers emerged from our literature search. A number of genetic regions and variants involved in several possible pathways underlying timing of ANM were identified, including two possible interesting regions (9q21.3 and chromosome 8 at 26 cM) in linkage analyses. Recent genome-wide association studies have identified two genomic regions (19q13.42 and 20p12.3), containing two promising candidate genes (BRKS1 and MCM). In the candidate gene association studies on ANM, very few consistent associations were found.

CONCLUSION A number of genetic variants have been discovered in association with ANM, although the overall results have been rather disappointing. We have described possible new strategies for future genetic studies to identify more genetic loci involved in the variation in menopausal age.

http://humupd.oxfordjournals.org/content/16/4/364.abstract

PMID: 20071357

Expression of nodal signalling components in cycling human endometrium and in endometrial cancer

http://www.rbej.com/content/7/1/122

2002

Yasmin: the reason why

Eur J Contracept Reprod Health Care. 2002 Dec;7 Suppl 3:13-8; discussion 42-3.

Thorneycroft IH.

Mobile Ob-Gyn Center, Lunar Research and Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of South Alabama College of Medicine, Alabama 36607, USA. Abstract Oral contraceptives have been available for a little over 40 years and, during that time, many different formulations have been introduced. There have been dramatic dosage reductions of both the estrogen and progestogen components and various progestogens have been introduced over time. The properties of most progestogens used in oral contraceptives are very similar, differing mainly in potency. Oral contraceptives with progestogens having new and unique properties are needed. World-wide, around 20-30% of women of childbearing age use oral contraceptives and their use declines after the age of 35 years, with an accompanying increase in the rates of unintended pregnancy and elective termination. Incorrect use likewise gives rise to high unintended pregnancy rates. Use in Europe is higher than in other regions. Discontinuation because of unwanted effects and misperceptions is very common. Common misperceptions that prevent women from initiating oral contraceptive use are weight gain, cancer risks and that bleeding indicates a significant problem. Unwanted effects that commonly give rise to discontinuation are bleeding, nausea, weight gain, mood changes, breast tenderness and headaches. Discontinuation rates are high, particularly in the first year, and adolescents have the highest rates of discontinuation. Correct consistent use must be encouraged by taking pills at a regular time each day and by reinforcing that bleeding and other unwanted effects are not medically serious. Reinforcement of the non-contraceptive health benefits is very important and it needs to be emphasized that long-term use enhances these non-contraceptive benefits. Most non-contraceptive benefits are due to the progestogen component and its inhibition of ovulation. The new drospirenone-containing oral contraceptive (Yasmin, Schering AG, Berlin, Germany) offers the traditional non-contraceptive benefits; however, due to its unique antimineralocorticoid and antiandrogenic properties, new and unique benefits have been observed. Acne is well controlled, as would be expected from its inhibition of ovulation, antiandrogenic activity and lack of attenuation of the estrogen-mediated increase in sex hormone binding globulin. Its antimineralocorticoid activity gives rise to a reduction in fluid-related symptoms. The oral contraceptive containing 3 mg drospirenone with 30 microg ethinylestradiol DRSP/EE) has excellent efficacy since drospirenone is a potent progestogen, the corrected Pearl index being 0.09. This index is lower than those of many other oral contraceptives. Cycle control is excellent and comparable to that experienced with other oral contraceptives. A significant and consistent weight loss was seen with DRSP/EE compared to a reference preparation containing desogestrel. Day-to-day compliance and the duration of intake of an oral contraceptive are dependent on the woman's satisfaction with the pill she is taking. DRSP/EE meets these expectations and, with its new and unique non-contraceptive benefits, offers a real new choice to women.

PMID: 12659402

1998

Oxytocin and vasopressin receptors in human and uterine myomas during menstrual cycle and early pregnancy

Hum Reprod Update. 1998 Sep-Oct;4(5):594-604.

Fuchs AR, Behrens O, Maschek H, Kupsch E, Einspanier A.

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Cornell University Medical College, New York, NY 10021, USA. annariitta@aol.com Abstract The purpose of this study was to determine the specificity and concentration of oxytocin (OT) and arginine vasopressin (AVP) binding sites in non-pregnant (NP) human and rhesus monkey endometrium, myometrium and fibromyomas, and to determine the cellular localization of OT receptor (OTR). Besides [3H]AVP, [125I]LVA, a specific VP1 receptor subtype antagonist, was used to determine vasopressin receptor (VPR) concentrations. Samples were obtained from 42 pre-menopausal and three pregnant women (5, 13 and 35 weeks gestation), and several NP and pregnant monkeys. Specificity of binding was assessed in competition experiments with unlabelled agonists and antagonists of known pharmacological potency. Cellular localization of OTR was determined by immunohistochemistry. In NP human uterine tissues, [3H]AVP was bound with higher affinity and greater binding capacity than [3H]OT, whereas in pregnant women and in NP and pregnant rhesus monkeys, uterine OT binding capacity was greater. OT and AVP binding sites discriminated very poorly between OT and AVP; [125I]LVA binding sites were more selective than [3H]AVP. Their ligand specificity and binding kinetics indicated the presence of two distinct populations of binding sites for OT and AVP in primate uterus. Endometrium of NP women and monkeys had low OTR and VPR concentrations. Myometrial and endometrial OTR and VPR were down-regulated in midcycle and in early human pregnancy, they were up-regulated in the secretory phase and second half of pregnancy. Immunoreactive OTR in NP uterus was localized in patches of myometrial muscle cells and small numbers of endometrial epithelial cells.

PMID: 10027613

secretory phase

Endometrial stromal cells (ESCs) differentiate into decidual cells in the mid and the late secretory phases, regardless of whether pregnancy has been established.

Postnatal Cycle Flexibility

A recent paper has demonstrated that the human menstral cycle can be modulated postnatally by environmental conditions as measured by changes in progesterone based upon age of migration from a relatively poor environment (Bangladesh) to a relatively better environment (UK). Childhood conditions influence adult progesterone levels. Núñez-de la Mora A, Chatterton RT, Choudhury OA, Napolitano DA, Bentley GR. PLoS Med. 2007 May;4(5):e167. PMID: 17503960 | PLoS Medicine


Average Luteal Progesterone Profiles by Group.jpg
Average Luteal Progesterone Profiles by Group
SYL - resident Bangladeshi sedentees from Sylhet

ADU - adult migrants

CHI - child migrants

2ndGEN - second-generation British-Bangladeshis

WHI - British women of European descent

Unadjusted mean luteal progesterone index values. Ovulation dates were estimated from oestradiol data available for the same individual menstrual cycles.

(More? PLoS Medicine - Article)

Average Luteal Progesterone by Age at UK Migration.jpg
Average Luteal Progesterone Profiles by Categories of Age at Migration to the UK
Women who migrated during infancy and early childhood (ages 0–8 y) had a significantly earlier age at menarche.

Women who migrated after menarche, length of time spent in the UK had no significant impact on luteal progesterone levels.

(More? PLoS Medicine - Article)

Data: Nunez-de la Mora A, Chatterton RT, Choudhury OA, Napolitano DA, Bentley GR. Childhood Conditions Influence Adult Progesterone Levels. PLoS Med. 2007 May 15;4(5):e167 (More? PLoS Medicine - Article)

Menstruation in Adolescents

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2644006/?tool=pubmed

  • precocious puberty has been defined as any pubertal development occurring before age 8
  • paper shows earlier timings
  • range for menstrual cycles in adolescents is wider than in adults
    • adult normal cycle length is defined as being between 21 and 34 days.

terminologies and definitions used to describe abnormalities of menstrual bleeding

Can we achieve international agreement on terminologies and definitions used to describe abnormalities of menstrual bleeding? Fraser IS, Critchley HO, Munro MG, Broder M. Hum Reprod. 2007 Mar;22(3):635-43. Epub 2007 Jan 4. PMID: 17204526 | Hum Reprod.

  • terminologies and definitions around the symptom of abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB)
  • The major recommendations were to replace terms such as menorrhagia, metrorrhagia, hypermenorrhoea and dysfunctional uterine bleeding.
  • four key ‘menstrual dimensions’ should be cycle regularity, frequency of menstruation, duration and volume of menstrual flow.
    • Regularity should be specified as irregular, regular or absent.
    • Frequency should be specified as frequent, normal or infrequent.
    • Duration should be specified as prolonged, normal or shortened.
    • Volume should be specified as heavy, normal or light.

Table VII. Suggested normal limits for menstrual parameters in the mid-reproductive years

Clinical dimensions of menstruation and menstrual cycle Descriptive terms Normal limits (5th–95th percentiles) Frequency of menses (days) Frequent <24 Normal 24–38 Infrequent >38 Regularity of menses (cycle to cycle variation over 12 months; in days) Absent — Regular Variation ± 2 to 20 days Irregular Variation greater than 20 days Duration of flow (days) Prolonged >8.0 Normal 4.5–8.0 Shortened <4.5 Volume of monthly blood loss (ml) (Hallberg et al., 1966) Heavy >80 Normal 5–80 Light <5


corpus luteum

Luteal blood flow and luteal function. Takasaki A, Tamura H, Taniguchi K, Asada H, Taketani T, Matsuoka A, Yamagata Y, Shimamura K, Morioka H, Sugino N. J Ovarian Res. 2009 Jan 14;2:1. PMC2633338]

  • During corpus luteum formation
  • active angiogenesis occurs after the ovulatory LH surge
  • corpus luteum becomes one of the most highly vascularized organs in the body PMID: 9500609
  • corpus luteum blood flow
    • necessary to provide luteal cells with the large amounts of cholesterol needed for progesterone synthesis
    • to deliver progesterone to the circulation.

Sleep, Hormones, and Circadian Rhythms throughout the Menstrual Cycle

Sleep, Hormones, and Circadian Rhythms throughout the Menstrual Cycle in Healthy Women and Women with Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder. Shechter A, Boivin DB. Int J Endocrinol. 2010;2010:259345. Epub 2010 Jan 18. PMID: 20145718 | PMC2817387

  • relationship exists between the sleep-wake cycle and hormone secretion
  • melatonin, cortisol, thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), and prolactin (PRL), vary across the 24-hour day and are highly regulated by the circadian and sleep-wake cycles.
  • sleep complaints commonly occur during the postovulatory luteal phase (LP) in healthy women
  • premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) - a DSM-IV classified menstrual cycle-related mood disorder

endometrial and ovarian characteristics using three dimensional power Doppler ultrasound

http://www.rbej.com/content/7/1/151

patients who finally conceived was the presence of a triple-line pattern in the endometrium

Quantity and quality of retrograde menstruation: a case control study

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2789082/?tool=pubmed

  • menstruation is associated with a higher concentration of endometrial cells in peritoneal fluid (PF)
  • comparison with the nonmenstrual phase of the cycle, analysis of PF during menstruation showed an increased concentration of leucocytes (3.3 × 109/L vs 0.8 × 109/L, P = 0.03), erythrocytes (0.3 × 1012/L vs 0.02 × 1012/L, P = 0.006), hematocrit (0.03 L/L vs 0.003 L/L, P = 0.01) and hemoglobin (0.8 g/dL vs 0.1 g/dL, P = 0.01).

luteal phase changes

Suggested changes include:

  • fluid retention, weight gain, increased energy demands, changes in glucose uptake, a slower gastrointestinal transit time, altered lipid profiles, altered vitamin D, calcium, magnesium and iron metabolism, emotional hypersensitivity, generalized pain, and changes in dietary habits.

Changes in serum calcium, magnesium and inorganic phosphorus levels during different phases of the menstrual cycle. Dullo P, Vedi N. J Hum Reprod Sci. 2008 Jul;1(2):77-80. PMID: 19562050

Women's sexual interest

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19306881

Women's sexual interest changes with hormonal fluctuations across the menstrual cycle.

"The observed increase in activation in the right medial orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) during the follicular phase may reflect a hormonally mediated increase in appetitive motivation and may prime women towards increased sexual interest and behavior around ovulation."

Progesterone and Progestin Receptors in the Brain

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18436712 http://endo.endojournals.org/cgi/content/full/149/6/2737