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Related Concept Videos

Menopause01:28

Menopause

Menopause, a natural biological process marking the end of a woman's fertility, typically occurs between the fifth and sixth decade of life. This phase is characterized by the exhaustion of the ovarian follicle pool, leading to less responsive ovaries despite the high levels of Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) and Luteinizing Hormone (LH). The consequential decrease in estrogen production results in symptoms like hot flashes, heavy sweating, headaches, hair loss, muscle pains, vaginal...
Hormonal Regulation of the Menstrual Cycle01:22

Hormonal Regulation of the Menstrual Cycle

The ovarian cycle regulates endometrial changes throughout a single menstrual cycle via the coordinated action of gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) and gonadotrophins.
At puberty, GnRH begins a pulsatile release pattern, which triggers the anterior pituitary gland to secrete follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH). The frequency and amplitude of GnRH pulses vary across the menstrual cycle, with faster pulses favoring LH release and slower pulses favoring FSH release.
Hormonal Control of the Ovarian Cycle01:30

Hormonal Control of the Ovarian Cycle

The ovarian cycle is meticulously regulated by the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis. This cycle orchestrates the release of a mature oocyte, essential for reproduction.
Before puberty, the hypothalamus releases GnRH in a low frequency, low amplitude pulsatile manner. This along with the immature hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis activity, results in low estrogen levels and the absence of a fully functional ovarian cycle.  At puberty, GnRH secretion increases in both frequency and...
Ovarian Cycle01:27

Ovarian Cycle

The menstrual cycle includes a critical component known as the ovarian cycle, which undergoes two main phases each month—the follicular phase and the luteal phase. The follicular phase is variable and averaging around 14 days. Ovulation, triggered by a surge in luteinizing hormone (LH), marks the transition between the two phases. The second phase, the luteal phase, is relatively consistent, lasting approximately 14 days, and is marked by the activity of the corpus luteum. While a cycle length...
Gonadal and Placental Hormones01:24

Gonadal and Placental Hormones

The gonads, namely the testes in males and the ovaries in females, are pivotal in producing gonadal hormones that orchestrate the intricate processes of sexual development and reproduction.
In males, testosterone is the primary gonadal androgen. It plays a central role in the maturation of male reproductive organs — the penis and testes. Additionally, testosterone is instrumental in the development of secondary sexual characteristics — a deep voice as well as facial and pubic hair growth — and...
Oogenesis02:07

Oogenesis

In human women, oogenesis produces one mature egg cell or ovum for every precursor cell that enters meiosis. This process differs in two unique ways from the equivalent procedure of spermatogenesis in males. First, meiotic divisions during oogenesis are asymmetric, meaning that a large oocyte (containing most of the cytoplasm) and minor polar body are produced as a result of meiosis I, and again following meiosis II. Since only oocytes will go on to form embryos if fertilized, this unequal...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 30, 2026

An In Vivo Estrogen Deficiency Mouse Model for Screening Exogenous Estrogen Treatments of Cardiovascular Dysfunction After Menopause
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An In Vivo Estrogen Deficiency Mouse Model for Screening Exogenous Estrogen Treatments of Cardiovascular Dysfunction After Menopause

Published on: August 13, 2019

Equol production changes over time in postmenopausal women.

Adrian A Franke1, Jennifer F Lai, Brunhild M Halm

  • 1Cancer Research Center of Hawaii, Clinical Sciences Program, University of Hawaii, Honolulu, HI 96813, USA. adrian@crch.hawaii.edu

The Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry
|July 22, 2011
PubMed
Summary

Equol production, linked to soy intake benefits, can change within individuals over time. Antibiotic use impacts equol status inconsistently, suggesting other factors influence its production.

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Published on: June 7, 2012

Area of Science:

  • Nutritional Science
  • Microbiome Research
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Equol (EQ), derived from daidzein (DE) by gut bacteria, is associated with health benefits of soy consumption.
  • A clear definition of equol producer status and its stability within individuals is lacking.
  • The impact of oral antibiotics on equol production is not well understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To define a reliable method for assessing equol producer status.
  • To investigate the consistency of equol production within individuals over time.
  • To determine the effect of oral antibiotic treatment on equol production.

Main Methods:

  • A 2.5-year randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled soy intervention trial involving 350 postmenopausal women.
  • Analysis of daidzein (DE) and equol (EQ) in overnight urine, spot urine, and plasma using liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry.
  • Assessment of changes in equol production and producer/non-producer status.

Main Results:

  • Overnight urine, with an EQ/DE ratio cutoff ≥0.018 and DE threshold ≥2 nmol/mg creatinine, reliably determined equol status.
  • Approximately 30% of participants were consistent equol producers, but 14-35% changed status during the study.
  • Antibiotic treatment affected equol status inconsistently, with no clear correlation to treatment type, duration, or timing.

Conclusions:

  • Equol production status can change significantly within individuals over a 2.5-year period.
  • Oral antibiotic treatment has an inconsistent and unpredictable impact on equol production.
  • Factors beyond antibiotic use likely influence variations in equol production.