Hum. Reprod. Advance Access published online on January 24, 2007
Human Reproduction, doi:10.1093/humrep/del479
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© The Author 2007. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oxfordjournals.org
Influence of endogenous and exogenous sex hormones on plasma brain-derived neurotrophic factor
1 Department of Reproductive Medicine and Child Development, Division of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy 2 Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Modena, Modena, Italy 3 Department of Pediatric Obstetrics and Reproductive Medicine, Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
4 To whom correspondence should be addressed at: Department of Reproductive Medicine and Child Development, Division of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University of Pisa, Via Roma 35, 56100 Pisa, Italy. Tel.: +39 050 503985; Fax: +39 050 553410; E-mail: a.genazzani{at}obgyn.med.unipi.it
BACKGROUND: Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is a mediator of neuronal plasticity and influences learning, memory and cognitive behaviour. The aim of this study is to assess plasma BDNF variations according to hormonal status. METHODS: A total of 60 subjects were included: 20 fertile ovulatory women, 15 amenorrhoeic women and 25 postmenopausal women. Blood samples were collected after overnight fasting. For 5 out of the 20 fertile women, samples were collected every 2 days throughout the whole menstrual cycle. Following basal evaluation, 10 out of 25 postmenopausal women were administered a hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and reevaluated after 6 months of treatment. Plasma BDNF concentrations were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. In fertile women, estradiol (E2), progesterone and gonadotrophins were also assessed. RESULTS: In fertile women, luteal phase levels of plasma BDNF were significantly higher than follicular phase levels (P < 0.001). BDNF increased from early follicular phase up to Day 14 of the cycle, reaching a pre-ovulatory peak, similar to E2. A second rise took place during mid-luteal phase, with a peak on Day 24. Amenorrhoeic subjects, as well as postmenopausal women, showed significantly lower plasma BDNF levels compared with fertile females (P < 0.001). BDNF was positively correlated with E2 and progesterone and negatively correlated with menopausal age. HRT restored BDNF levels to those present in fertile women during the follicular phase. CONCLUSIONS: Plasma BDNF levels are influenced by hormonal status. Modifications in BDNF circulating levels during the menstrual cycle suggest a potential role for gonadal sex hormones (E2 and progesterone) in regulating neurotrophin expression.
Key words: brain-derived neurotrophic factor/hormone replacement therapy/menopause/ovarian cycle/sex hormones
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