title: Influence of gender and menstrual cycle on a cold air tolerance test and its relationship to thermosensitivity.
abstract: This investigation evaluated the influence of gender and phase of menstrual cycle [follicular (FOL): Days 2-6) and luteal (LUT: Days 19-24)] on a cold air tolerance test (CATT: 90-min of exposure to 5 degrees C air) in 8 females (22.7 +/- 3.0 yr) and 15 males (22.3 +/- 2.9 yr). In addition, central thermosensitivity (beta; W x kg(-1) x degrees C(-1) [i.e., the slope of the relationship between the decrease in esophageal temperature (Tes) and the increase in heat production (HP)], gathered during a separate water trial in 20 degrees C water, was correlated to the change (delta) in Tes and HP across the 90 min of resting exposure during the CATT. Analysis of variance revealed no significant differences between phase of menstrual cycle or gender for HP, mean skin temperature (Tsk), and insulation; however, a main effect for time for these parameters was demonstrated. Despite these similarities, Tes differed (P < 0.05) between males and females. Additionally, no relationship was found between beta and deltaHP and deltaTes in the males and females. Also, there was no relationship between beta and thermoregulation during the CATT in these subjects. These data suggest that menstrual cycle phase did not cause a differential response in Tes, Tsk, and HP during a CATT. Furthermore, women maintained a higher Tes than men during the CATT despite similarities in HP and Tsk.
authors.affiliation: Kent State University, School of Exercise, Leisure and Sport, Exercise Sciences Laboratory, OH 44242, USA.
authors.forename: E L
authors.initials: EL
authors.lastname: Glickman-Weiss
authors.forename: C C
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Cheatham
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Caine
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Blegen
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Marcinkiewicz
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001833:Body Temperature Regulation / Q000502:physiology*; D003080:Cold Temperature; D004947:Esophagus / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D005498:Follicular Phase / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008183:Luteal Phase / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D008597:Menstrual Cycle / Q000502:physiology*; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D012881:Skin Temperature / Q000502:physiology