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Plasma immunoreactive beta-endorphin in exercise-associated amenorrhea.

T Laatikainen, T Virtanen, D Apter

American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology

|January 1, 1986

Summary

Women with exercise-associated amenorrhea exhibit elevated resting beta-endorphin and cortisol levels, alongside reduced prolactin, luteinizing hormone, and estradiol. This suggests increased opioid activity contributes to amenorrhea in athletes.

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Area of Science:

Endocrinology
Sports Medicine
Reproductive Biology

Background:

Exercise-associated amenorrhea (EAA) is a condition affecting female athletes.
The hormonal profile in EAA is not fully understood.
Opioid peptides, like beta-endorphin, may play a role in EAA pathophysiology.

Purpose of the Study:

To compare resting hormonal levels between women with EAA and controls.
To investigate the role of beta-endorphin and other hormones in EAA.

Main Methods:

Plasma samples were collected from 9 women with EAA and 11 controls during 2 hours of bed rest.
Concentrations of beta-endorphin, cortisol, prolactin, luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and estradiol were measured.

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Main Results:

The EAA group had significantly higher resting beta-endorphin and cortisol levels.
The EAA group exhibited significantly lower resting prolactin, LH, and estradiol levels.
Cortisol levels decreased in both groups during the first hour of bed rest, stabilizing in the second hour.

Conclusions:

Elevated basal beta-endorphin secretion in amenorrheic women suggests increased opioid activity.
These findings support the theory that heightened opioid activity is implicated in the pathophysiology of EAA.
Hormonal imbalances in EAA may involve complex interactions between stress, opioid, and reproductive axes.