American Journal of Biomedical and Life Sciences

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Variations in Plasma Electrolytes and Thirst Perception During the Menstrual Cycle

Received: 28 December 2018    Accepted: 23 January 2019    Published: 15 February 2019
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Abstract

Introduction: Electrolyte-dependent water retention associated with hormonal changes during the menstrual cycle may alter the normal reference intervals of plasma electrolytes with important effects on central nervous system, cardiovascular and renal functions. Hence, we sought to determine and compare plasma electrolytes (sodium, potassium, bicarbonate, chloride and urea) concentrations and thirst perception during different phases of the menstrual cycle. Methods: Blood samples obtained from the anti-cubital veins of 40 healthy females (18 – 25 years, 27 - 33 days menstrual cycle) on the 2nd (early follicular/menstrual, n = 10), 8th (late follicular, n = 10), 14th (ovulatory, n = 10) and 22nd (luteal, n = 10) day of the menstrual cycle were analysed for plasma electrolytes concentrations by photoelectric flame photometry. Thirst perception (TP) ratings were also obtained at the time of sample collection using the Visual Analogue Scale. Results: Plasma [Na+] (P = 0.003) and [Cl-] (P = 0.02) were highest during ovulation while the late follicular and luteal phases had the least [Na+] and [Cl-] respectively. Plasma [K+], [HCO3-], and [urea] did not differ significantly in relation to the phase of menstrual cycle. In addition, TP increased in a phase-dependent non-significant manner until after ovulation. Conclusion: Plasma concentrations of sodium and chloride are increased during ovulation. This may be attributed to oestrogen-related salt retention, whereas the lower sodium and chloride concentrations observed in the luteal phase (compared to ovulation especially) could be due to the natriuretic action of progesterone.

DOI 10.11648/j.ajbls.20190701.12
Published in American Journal of Biomedical and Life Sciences (Volume 7, Issue 1, February 2019)
Page(s) 6-9
Creative Commons

This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.

Copyright

Copyright © The Author(s), 2024. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Menstrual Cycle, Plasma Electrolytes, Sodium, Chloride, Thirst

References
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[4] N. S. Stachenfeld. Hormonal changes during menopause and the impact on fluid regulation. Reprod Sci, 2014, 21 (5): 555-561.
[5] W. Oelkers. Effects of estrogens and progestogens on the renin–aldosterone system and blood pressure. Steroids, 1996, 61 (4): 166–171.
[6] F. H. Derkx, C. Steunkel, M. P. Schalekamp, W. Visser, I. H. Huisveld, M. A. Schalekamp. Immunoreactive renin, prorenin, and enzymatically active renin in plasma during pregnancy and in women taking oral contraceptives. J Clin Endocrinol Metab, 1986, 63: 1008–1015.
[7] M. D. Lindheimer, J. M. Davison. Osmoregulation, the secretion of arginine vasopressin and its metabolism during pregnancy. Eur J Endocrinol, 1995, 132 (2): 133-143.
[8] E. Amabebe, F. O. Robert, L. F. O. Obika. Osmoregulatory adaptations during lactation: Thirst, arginine vasopressin and plasma osmolality responses. Niger J Physiol Sci, 2017, 32 (2): 109-116.
[9] R. L. Landau and K. Lugibihl. Inhibition of the sodium-retaining influence of aldosterone by progesterone. J Clin Endocrinol Metab, 1958, 18: 1237–1245.
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[15] R. S. Phillips, A. B. McCoord, W. T. Pommerenke. Serum Electrolytes in the Menstrual Cycle. Fert Steril, 1952, 3 (5): 402-418.
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Author Information
  • Department of Physiology, University of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria

  • Department of Physiology, University of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria

  • Academic Unit of Reproductive and Developmental Medicine, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK

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    Janet Ogochukwu Nzoputam, Ezeuchu Favour Udochukwu, Emmanuel Amabebe. (2019). Variations in Plasma Electrolytes and Thirst Perception During the Menstrual Cycle. American Journal of Biomedical and Life Sciences, 7(1), 6-9. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajbls.20190701.12

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    Janet Ogochukwu Nzoputam; Ezeuchu Favour Udochukwu; Emmanuel Amabebe. Variations in Plasma Electrolytes and Thirst Perception During the Menstrual Cycle. Am. J. Biomed. Life Sci. 2019, 7(1), 6-9. doi: 10.11648/j.ajbls.20190701.12

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    Janet Ogochukwu Nzoputam, Ezeuchu Favour Udochukwu, Emmanuel Amabebe. Variations in Plasma Electrolytes and Thirst Perception During the Menstrual Cycle. Am J Biomed Life Sci. 2019;7(1):6-9. doi: 10.11648/j.ajbls.20190701.12

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  • @article{10.11648/j.ajbls.20190701.12,
      author = {Janet Ogochukwu Nzoputam and Ezeuchu Favour Udochukwu and Emmanuel Amabebe},
      title = {Variations in Plasma Electrolytes and Thirst Perception During the Menstrual Cycle},
      journal = {American Journal of Biomedical and Life Sciences},
      volume = {7},
      number = {1},
      pages = {6-9},
      doi = {10.11648/j.ajbls.20190701.12},
      url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajbls.20190701.12},
      eprint = {https://download.sciencepg.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ajbls.20190701.12},
      abstract = {Introduction: Electrolyte-dependent water retention associated with hormonal changes during the menstrual cycle may alter the normal reference intervals of plasma electrolytes with important effects on central nervous system, cardiovascular and renal functions. Hence, we sought to determine and compare plasma electrolytes (sodium, potassium, bicarbonate, chloride and urea) concentrations and thirst perception during different phases of the menstrual cycle. Methods: Blood samples obtained from the anti-cubital veins of 40 healthy females (18 – 25 years, 27 - 33 days menstrual cycle) on the 2nd (early follicular/menstrual, n = 10), 8th (late follicular, n = 10), 14th (ovulatory, n = 10) and 22nd (luteal, n = 10) day of the menstrual cycle were analysed for plasma electrolytes concentrations by photoelectric flame photometry. Thirst perception (TP) ratings were also obtained at the time of sample collection using the Visual Analogue Scale. Results: Plasma [Na+] (P = 0.003) and [Cl-] (P = 0.02) were highest during ovulation while the late follicular and luteal phases had the least [Na+] and [Cl-] respectively. Plasma [K+], [HCO3-], and [urea] did not differ significantly in relation to the phase of menstrual cycle. In addition, TP increased in a phase-dependent non-significant manner until after ovulation. Conclusion: Plasma concentrations of sodium and chloride are increased during ovulation. This may be attributed to oestrogen-related salt retention, whereas the lower sodium and chloride concentrations observed in the luteal phase (compared to ovulation especially) could be due to the natriuretic action of progesterone.},
     year = {2019}
    }
    

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  • TY  - JOUR
    T1  - Variations in Plasma Electrolytes and Thirst Perception During the Menstrual Cycle
    AU  - Janet Ogochukwu Nzoputam
    AU  - Ezeuchu Favour Udochukwu
    AU  - Emmanuel Amabebe
    Y1  - 2019/02/15
    PY  - 2019
    N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajbls.20190701.12
    DO  - 10.11648/j.ajbls.20190701.12
    T2  - American Journal of Biomedical and Life Sciences
    JF  - American Journal of Biomedical and Life Sciences
    JO  - American Journal of Biomedical and Life Sciences
    SP  - 6
    EP  - 9
    PB  - Science Publishing Group
    SN  - 2330-880X
    UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajbls.20190701.12
    AB  - Introduction: Electrolyte-dependent water retention associated with hormonal changes during the menstrual cycle may alter the normal reference intervals of plasma electrolytes with important effects on central nervous system, cardiovascular and renal functions. Hence, we sought to determine and compare plasma electrolytes (sodium, potassium, bicarbonate, chloride and urea) concentrations and thirst perception during different phases of the menstrual cycle. Methods: Blood samples obtained from the anti-cubital veins of 40 healthy females (18 – 25 years, 27 - 33 days menstrual cycle) on the 2nd (early follicular/menstrual, n = 10), 8th (late follicular, n = 10), 14th (ovulatory, n = 10) and 22nd (luteal, n = 10) day of the menstrual cycle were analysed for plasma electrolytes concentrations by photoelectric flame photometry. Thirst perception (TP) ratings were also obtained at the time of sample collection using the Visual Analogue Scale. Results: Plasma [Na+] (P = 0.003) and [Cl-] (P = 0.02) were highest during ovulation while the late follicular and luteal phases had the least [Na+] and [Cl-] respectively. Plasma [K+], [HCO3-], and [urea] did not differ significantly in relation to the phase of menstrual cycle. In addition, TP increased in a phase-dependent non-significant manner until after ovulation. Conclusion: Plasma concentrations of sodium and chloride are increased during ovulation. This may be attributed to oestrogen-related salt retention, whereas the lower sodium and chloride concentrations observed in the luteal phase (compared to ovulation especially) could be due to the natriuretic action of progesterone.
    VL  - 7
    IS  - 1
    ER  - 

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