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Causal Relationship Between Sleep Traits and Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Target Gland Axis Function: A Mendelian
Ziyu Ren1, Jiangchuan Long1, Wenzhen Deng1
1Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, People's Republic of China.
Nature and Science of Sleep
|February 21, 2024
Summary
Chronotype and extreme sleep durations significantly impact hypothalamic-pituitary-target gland axis (HPTGA) function, particularly female reproductive health. Short sleep duration may promote progesterone secretion, while both extremes affect other crucial hormones.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Sleep Medicine
- Genetics
Background:
- Observational studies link sleep traits to various health issues.
- The causal relationship between sleep and the hypothalamic-pituitary-target gland axis (HPTGA) is not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the causal links between sleep traits (insomnia, chronotype, sleep duration) and HPTGA function.
- To explore the directionality of these relationships using Mendelian randomization.
Main Methods:
- Two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis using UK Biobank data for sleep traits.
- Utilized publicly available HPTGA function data.
- Performed reverse MR analysis to confirm causality direction.
Main Results:
- Chronotype is associated with reduced levels of six HPTGA hormones.
- Sleep duration causally affects free thyroxine and progesterone levels.
- Both long and short sleep durations negatively impact prolactin-releasing peptide, somatostatin, and cortisol secretion; short sleep may increase progesterone.
Conclusions:
- Chronotype is causally linked to suppressed gonadal function in adults.
- Extreme sleep durations disrupt normal HPTGA function.
- Female reproductive function is more vulnerable to adverse sleep patterns than male function.
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