Relationship between sleep and secretion of gonadotropin and ovarian hormones in women with normal cycles.
OBJECTIVE
To monitor gonadotropin and ovarian hormone levels in relation to sleep duration in normally cycling women.


METHODS
Observational and cross-sectional study.


METHODS
Multicentric collaborative study.


METHODS
One hundred six healthy and normally cycling women, aged 19 to 44 years, with cycle lengths of 24 to 34 days.


METHODS
Follow-up during one to four consecutive cycles with daily urine collection.


METHODS
Urine concentrations of LH, FSH, estrone-3-glucuronide (E1-3-G), and pregnanediol-3-alpha-glucuronide (Pd-3alpha-G). Ultrasound determination of day of ovulation and estimation of sleep duration.


RESULTS
We found a significant association between FSH levels and sleep duration (P=.008). Follicle-stimulating hormone levels were 20% higher in long-time sleepers than in short-time sleepers. This association persisted whatever the age or the body mass index. There was no significant association between belonging to any group and LH, E1-3-G, or Pd-3alpha-G levels.


CONCLUSIONS
Our results suggest that sleep duration could be related to FSH levels, although the study design did not allow us to establish a causal relationship nor to explain the physiological basis of the observed relationship.
Touzet
Sandrine
S
Département d'Information Médicale, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Lyon, France. sandrine.touzet@chu-lyon.fr
Rabilloud
Muriel
M
Boehringer
Hans
H
Barranco
Enriqueta
E
Ecochard
René
R
D000328:Adult; D000375:Aging; D015992:Body Mass Index; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004967:Estrogens / Q000378:metabolism*; D004970:Estrone / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000652:urine; D005260:Female; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000652:urine; D006062:Gonadotropins / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000652:urine; D008597:Menstrual Cycle; D006080:Ovarian Follicle / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D010060:Ovulation; D011276:Pregnanediol / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000652:urine; D012890:Sleep / Q000502:physiology*; D013997:Time Factors; D014463:Ultrasonography
D004967:Estrogens; D006062:Gonadotropins; C022270:pregnanediol-3 alpha-glucuronide; C015856:estrone-3-glucuronide; D004970:Estrone; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone; D011276:Pregnanediol