Salivary testosterone across the menstrual cycle.
Horm Behav
; 164: 105608, 2024 Aug.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-39053138
ABSTRACT
Testosterone production in women is thought to systematically shift across the menstrual cycle, peaking during the mid-cycle ovulatory window, and potentially influencing women's behavior. Testosterone is a molecular intermediary to the production of estradiol, which is necessary for ovulation to occur, but the amount of testosterone escape and exposure to the peripheral tissues is not fully understood. Salivary testosterone is a common biomarker in behavioral neuroendocrinological studies and is thought to reflect the bioactive portions in serum. In N = 339 women with confirmed ovulation via luteinizing hormone tests, salivary testosterone, assayed with LC-MS/MS, was sampled four times across the mid-cycle ovulatory window the luteal phase. Within-subject analysis revealed a significant but small pattern of a mid-cycle peak and a luteal decrease at the aggregate level. However, at the individual level, there was substantial variability in the direction and magnitude of the testosterone-cycle pattern. We discuss the relevant underlying physiology, background research, issues with assay methodolody, and considerations for researchers studying testosterone levels in women.
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Texto completo:
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Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Saliva
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Testosterona
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Ciclo Menstrual
Limite:
Adolescent
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Adult
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Female
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Humans
Idioma:
En
Ano de publicação:
2024
Tipo de documento:
Article