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The effects of submaximal endurance exercise upon LH pulsatility
J W McArthur1, I Gilbert, R J Henery
1Department of Endocrinology, St. Bartholomew's Hospital, London.
Clinical Endocrinology
|January 1, 1990
Summary
Submaximal endurance exercise did not acutely alter luteinizing hormone (LH) release patterns in women. Exercise and strolling similarly affected LH levels, with a decline post-bout, suggesting exercise intensity does not impact pulsatile LH release.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Endocrinology
- Exercise Physiology
Background:
- The pulsatile release of luteinizing hormone (LH) is critical for reproductive function.
- Understanding how acute exercise affects reproductive hormone dynamics is important for female athletes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the acute effects of submaximal endurance exercise versus leisurely strolling on pulsatile LH release in normally menstruating women.
- To investigate the impact of exercise intensity on LH secretion patterns during the luteal phase.
Main Methods:
- Seven normally menstruating women underwent controlled exercise and control trials during the luteal phase.
- Blood samples were collected frequently (every 10 min) for 20 hours, encompassing pre-, during, and post-intervention periods.
- Serum LH was measured using radioimmunoassay, and pulsatility was analyzed using time series methods.
Main Results:
- LH concentrations showed a decline after cannulation, peaking before exercise, and remained largely unchanged during exercise.
- A declining trend in LH was observed throughout the post-exercise period for both exercise and control groups.
- LH pulsatility significantly decreased in the control group during the initial sampling phase compared to later phases.
Conclusions:
- Acute submaximal endurance exercise does not acutely alter LH pulsatile release compared to leisurely strolling.
- LH secretion patterns are similar between moderate exercise and rest during the luteal phase.
- The findings suggest that exercise intensity within the tested range does not acutely disrupt the pulsatile release of LH.