Galactose consumption, metabolism, and follicle-stimulating hormone concentrations in women of late reproductive age.
OBJECTIVE
To test the hypothesis that high galactose consumption and low activity of galactose-1-phosphate uridyl transferase (transferase) is associated with early ovarian senescence among nongalactosemic women.


METHODS
Cross-sectional study. Data collection consisted of a self-administered questionnaire with sections on diet (food frequency data to measure galactose consumption), reproductive, and medical histories. One blood sample was collected to measure FSH and transferase activity; FSH was used as a measure of ovarian senescence. Among women who were having menstrual periods at least every 8 weeks, the blood sample was drawn in the early follicular phase (days 2 to 4) of a menstrual cycle.


METHODS
Two hundred ninety-five women volunteers ages 38 to 49 years who had not had a hysterectomy or oophorectomy were recruited through posters and advertisements.


METHODS
Serum FSH concentrations.


RESULTS
Controlling for age, smoking, and body mass, transferase activity and FSH were unrelated. However, FSH levels were 29% higher (95% confidence intervals, 9% to 52%) among women who reported consuming > or = 6 g galactose/d.


CONCLUSIONS
These data do not support the hypothesis that low transferase activity represents a genetic predisposition for early ovarian senescence, as measured by FSH levels in women ages 38 to 49 years. However, the hypothesized positive association between galactose consumption and FSH was supported.
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
G S
GS
Cooper
B S
BS
Hulka
D D
DD
Baird
D A
DA
Savitz
C L
CL
Hughes
C R
CR
Weinberg
R A
RA
Coleman
J M
JM
Shields
D000328:Adult; D000375:Aging / Q000378:metabolism*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004032:Diet; D015914:Estrogen Replacement Therapy; D005260:Female; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000097:blood*; D005690:Galactose / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D008593:Menopause; D008597:Menstrual Cycle; D008875:Middle Aged; D009994:Osmolar Concentration; D014166:Transferases / Q000097:blood
D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone; D014166:Transferases; D005690:Galactose