Enhanced response to ozone exposure during the follicular phase of the menstrual cycle
- Univ. of Calfornia, Davis (United States)
Exposure to ozone (O[sub 3]), a toxic component of photochemical smog, results in significant airway inflammation, respiratory discomfort, and pulmonary function impairment. These effects can be reduced via pretreatment with anti-inflammatory agents. Progesterone, a gonadal steroid, is known to reduce general inflammation in the uterine endometrium. However, it is not known whether fluctuation in blood levels of progesterone, which are experienced during the normal female menstrual cycle, could alter O[sub 3] inflammatory-induced pulmonary responses. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that young, adult females are more responsive to O[sub 3] inhalation with respect to pulmonary function impairment during their follicular (F) menstrual phase when progesterone levels are lowest that during their mid-luteal (ML) phase when progesterone levels are highest. Nine subjects with normal ovarian function were exposed in random order for 1 hour each to filtered air and to 0.30 ppm O[sub 3] in their F and ML menstrual phases. Ozone responsiveness was measured by percent change in pulmonary function from pre- to postexposure. Significant gas concentration effects (filtered air versus O[sub 3]) were observed for forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in 1 sec (FEV[sub 1]), and forced expiratory flow between 25 and 75% of FVC (FEF[sub 25-75]), showed a significant menstrual phase and gas concentration interaction effect, with larger decrements observed in the F menstrual phase when progesterone concentrations were significantly lower. We conclude that young, adult females appear to be more responsive to acute O[sub 3] exposure during the F phase than during the ML phase of their menstrual cycles. This difference in pulmonary function response could be related to the anti-inflammatory effects of increased progesterone concentrations during the luteal phase.
- OSTI ID:
- 5977860
- Journal Information:
- Environmental Health Perspectives; (United States), Vol. 101:3; ISSN 0091-6765
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Ozone inhalation effects consequent to continuous exercise in females: comparison to males
Bioassay of circulating luteinizing hormone in the rhesus monkey: comparison with radioimmunoassay during physiological changes
Related Subjects
59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
FEMALES
ENVIRONMENTAL EXPOSURE
MENSTRUAL CYCLE
LUNGS
INFLAMMATION
OZONE
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
PROGESTERONE
RESPONSE MODIFYING FACTORS
ANTIPYRETICS
SMOG
BODY
CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM DEPRESSANTS
DRUGS
HORMONES
KETONES
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANS
PATHOLOGICAL CHANGES
PREGNANES
RESPIRATORY SYSTEM
STEROID HORMONES
STEROIDS
SYMPTOMS
560300* - Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology
551000 - Physiological Systems