Antioxidant status and reproductive hormones in women during reproductive, perimenopausal and postmenopausal phase of life.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Reproductive aging resulting in menopause with permanent cessation of ovarian follicular activity. The progressive loss of estrogen and its protective effects, combined with deficient endogenous antioxidant results in oxidative stress. OBJECTIVE: To assess the level of oxidative stress and its relationship with reproductive hormones at various developmental phases of women. METHODS: A total of 186 (65 in Reproductive, 58 in Perimenopausal, and 63 in Postmenopausal phase) participants between the ages of 20-60 years were recruited for the study. Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), progesterone, estradiol, total antioxidant status (TAS), malondialdehyde (MDA) and reduced glutathione (GSH); activities of glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) levels were all determined. RESULTS: FSH, LH and MDA levels were significantly increased during perimenopausal and postmenopausal phases compared to reproductive phase; however, estradiol, progesterone, TAS and GSH levels were significantly decreased during perimenopausal and postmenopausal phases compared to reproductive phase. The erythrocyte activities of GSH-Px, SOD and CAT were significantly decreased during perimenopausal and postmenopausal phases compared to reproductive phase. It was observed that MDA showed positive correlation with LH and FSH while a negative correlation with estradiol and progesterone was observed; whereas, antioxidants showed negative correlation with LH and FSH while a positive correlation with estradiol and progesterone. CONCLUSION: The present study revealed that normal perimenopausal and postmenopausal phase are associated with oxidative stress. Therefore it may be of benefit when both phases are being managed in term of hormonal deficit if antioxidant is an adjunct.