Endocrine and chronobiological effects of fasting in women

Fertility and Sterility
S L BergaJ L Cameron

Abstract

To determine whether fasting in women would suppress GnRH/LH drive in a high- versus low-gonadal steroid milieu. Case-control study. Academic clinical research center. Eleven eumenorrheic women and eleven women taking combined oral contraceptives. Seven of the eleven women in each group underwent an acute 72-hour fast. Blood samples were obtained at 15-minute intervals for 24 hours before the fast and during the last 24 hours of fasting. Twenty-four-hour profiles of LH, cortisol, and melatonin were assessed. Ovarian activity was tracked with estradiol and progesterone levels, and metabolic responses were gauged by measuring thyroid hormone and beta-hydroxy-butyric acid levels. Fasting increased beta-hydroxy-butyric acid and reduced free thyronine. Fasting in the midfollicular phase had no effect on LH pulsatility or on FSH, estradiol, or subsequent luteal-phase progesterone levels. However, fasting elevated cortisol and resulted in a phase advance in melatonin secretion of 81 minutes in both the midfollicular and luteal phases. Fasting in women elicited expected metabolic responses and apparently advanced the central circadian clock without compromising reproductive function.

References

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Citations

Dec 3, 2003·Pathophysiology : the Official Journal of the International Society for Pathophysiology·Veronica MocanuBruno Estour
Sep 16, 2011·The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism·Vasiliki A MoragianniChristos S Mantzoros
Aug 14, 2009·The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition·Eva S SchernhammerSusan E Hankinson
May 23, 2006·Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·Jean L ChanChristos S Mantzoros
Aug 2, 2005·Journal of Bone and Mineral Research : the Official Journal of the American Society for Bone and Mineral Research·Jackie A ClowesRichard Eastell
Jun 11, 2005·Journal of Neuroendocrinology·J Lado-AbealR L Norman
Sep 29, 2011·Clinical Endocrinology·Kathryn E AckermanKaren K Miller
Apr 25, 2002·Hormones and Behavior·Esperanza Gonzalez-BonoClemens Kirschbaum
Jul 11, 2009·Fertility and Sterility·Henry BohlerStephen J Winters
Apr 10, 2007·Cancer Detection and Prevention·Regina P DopfelEva S Schernhammer
Sep 3, 2021·Endocrinology and Metabolism·Bo Hye KimObin Kwon

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