The androgen system across the menstrual cycle: Hormonal, (epi-)genetic and psychometric alterations

The menstrual cycle is characterized by various hormonal alterations and associations with mental and physical conditions have been postulated. Among endocrine factors, the androgen system has been a target of major interest in males and to a lesser extent in females and may influence emotion, cognition, behavior and somatic factors. Only few studies investigated alterations of these parameters throughout the menstrual cycle and there is a lack of studies exploring a link towards epigenetic and genetic regulation. This multisite longitudinal study examines behavioral parameters including affectivity, stress perception and various diary parameters of mental and physical well-being in conjunction with testosterone and LH plasma levels in 87 menstruating women. Additionally, Cysteine-Adenenine-Guanin (CAG) repeat length and methylation of the androgen receptor gene collected at four time points across two cycles comprising the menstrual, pre-ovulatory, mid-luteal and premenstrual phase were assesed. There was a significant increase of LH and testosterone plasma levels during the pre-ovulatory phase as well as a decrease of methylation of the androgen receptor at mid-luteal phase. Subjective ratings of physical condition and sexual interest peaked during the pre-ovulatory phase and the former correlated negatively with the androgen receptor gene methylation level. This longitudinal study shows alterations of the androgen system including epigenetic measurements throughout the menstrual cycle. While a link between peripheral testosterone and sexual activity and between increased physical condition and an upregulation of testosterone receptor protein expression can be assumed, the majority of parameters remained unchanged. These initial findings need validation by subsequent studies.