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Melatonin Patterns and Levels During the Human Menstrual Cycle and After Menopause.
Gail A Greendale1, Paula Witt-Enderby2, Arun S Karlamangla1
1Department of Medicine, Division of Geriatrics, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California.
Journal of the Endocrine Society
|October 23, 2020
Summary
Melatonin levels show a late luteal rise during the menstrual cycle, influenced by progesterone. Melatonin declines significantly from premenopause to postmenopause, suggesting a role in aging and menopause.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Endocrinology
- Chronobiology
- Women's Health
Background:
- Melatonin's role in regulating the human menstrual cycle is suggested.
- Melatonin levels may decrease with menopause and aging.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between melatonin and the menstrual cycle.
- To examine melatonin's association with menopause and aging.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional and longitudinal analysis of 20 women from the Study of Women's Health Across the Nation (SWAN) Daily Hormone Study (DHS).
- Daily urine assays of 6-sulfatoxymelatonin (aMT6s) were conducted during premenopausal and postmenopausal cycles.
Main Results:
- A late luteal rise in aMT6s was observed during ovulatory cycles, correlated with pregnanediol glucuronide (PdG).
- No periodicity of aMT6s was found in postmenopausal samples.
- Mean aMT6s levels were significantly higher in premenopause (53.5 ng/mL) compared to postmenopause (37.4 ng/mL).
Conclusions:
- A late luteal melatonin rise, potentially progesterone-mediated, may influence menstrual cycle regulation.
- Melatonin levels decrease from premenopause to postmenopause.
- The study could not distinguish between the effects of ovarian aging and chronological aging on melatonin due to their correlation with menopause transition.
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