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Horm Metab Res 2003; 35(7): 444-450
DOI: 10.1055/s-2003-41627
Original Clinical
© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

Plasma Insulin and Glucagon Concentrations and Biochemical Variables in Regularly Menstruating Females with Ovulatory and Anovulatory Menstrual Cycles

G.  Lutosławska1 , E.  Skierska2 , A.  Kęska2 , E.  Byszewska-Szpocińska3
  • 1Department of Biochemistry, Academy of Physical Education, Warsaw, Poland
  • 2Department of Biology, Academy of Physical Education, Warsaw, Poland
  • 3Department of Radioimmunology, Radioisotope Centre POLATOM, Otwock-Swierk, Poland
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Publication History

Received 14 November 2002

Accepted after Revision 14 April 2003

Publication Date:
21 August 2003 (online)

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Abstract

Ovarian hormones are known to affect endocrine pancreas function. However, data concerning the effects of anovulatory menstrual cycles in regularly menstruating women on endocrine pancreas and blood metabolites are lacking. We examined plasma insulin, glucagon, glucose, lactate, urea and glycerol concentrations in reproductive-age, regularly menstruating females classified as ovulating or non-ovulating on the basis of basal body temperature measurements and plasma 17β-estradiol and progesterone determinations. All measurements were performed twice - in the follicular and again in the luteal phases of the menstrual cycle. There were no differences in plasma lactate and glycerol concentrations between the two groups of subjects. Plasma insulin concentrations tended to be lower in non-ovulating than in ovulating women. In addition, plasma glucagon did not differ in the follicular (33.2 pmol/l) or luteal phase of the menstrual cycle in females with disturbed ovarian hormone secretion (34.1 pmol/l). In contrast, plasma glucagon concentrations in the luteal phase (32.8 pmol/l) were significantly higher than in the follicular phase (24.9 pmol/l) of the menstrual cycle in ovulating women. Plasma glucose concentrations in the follicular phase of the menstrual cycle in non-ovulating women (4.1 mmol/l) were slightly but significantly lower than in their ovulating counterparts (5.3 mmol/l). Furthermore, no correlations were noted between plasma glucose and insulin-to-glucagon molar ratio in non-ovulating subjects. Plasma urea concentrations in non-ovulating women were markedly lower than in ovulating women in both follicular and luteal phases of the menstrual cycle (4.1 and 3.9 mmol/l vs. 5.3 and 5.4 mmol/l in non-ovulating and ovulating women, respectively). In ovulating women, plasma urea levels in both cycle phases were significantly correlated with plasma glucagon concentrations, but no such correlation was found in non-ovulating women. In conclusion, anovulatory menstrual cycles in premenopausal females slightly altered pancreatic hormone plasma levels but markedly impaired their action on plasma glucose and urea concentrations.

Key words

Premenopausal females - Anovulation - Glucose homeostasis

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G. Lutosławska

Department of Biochemistry · Academy of Physical Education

01-968 Warsaw 45 · Box 55 · Poland

Fax: +1033 (22) 865-10-80

Email: grazyna.lutoslawska@awf.edu.pl