Urinary reproductive hormone level differences between African American and Caucasian women of reproductive age.
OBJECTIVE
To compare urinary levels of reproductive hormones in African American and Caucasian women.


METHODS
Cross-sectional study.


METHODS
Ten United States Air Force (USAF) bases.


METHODS
African American (n = 33) and Caucasian (n = 65) women of reproductive age from a larger study of USAF women (n = 170).


METHODS
None.


METHODS
Urinary endocrine end points: follicular luteinizing hormone (LH), preovulatory LH, level of LH surge peak, early follicular follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), follicular LH:FSH ratio, midluteal FSH, FSH rise before menses, early follicular estrone 3-glucuronide (E(1)3G), midfollicular E(1)3G, periovulatory E(1)3G peak, midluteal E(1)3G, early follicular pregnanediol 3-glucuronide (Pd3G), follicular Pd3G, rate of periovulatory Pd3G increase, E(1)3G:Pd3G on the day of luteal transition, slope of E(1)3G:Pd3G, and midluteal Pd3G.


RESULTS
Relative to Caucasians, African American women had significantly lower follicular phase LH:FSH ratios (mean +/- SD: 0.7 +/- 0.4 vs. 1.0 +/- 0.6), lower follicular phase Pd3G levels (1.0 +/- 0.5 vs. 1.2 +/- 0.8 microg/mg creatinine), and lower rates of periovulatory Pd3G increase (0.5 +/- 0.7 vs. 1.0 +/- 1.2 microg/mg creatinine).


CONCLUSIONS
Findings of this analysis should be considered preliminary evidence of racial differences in hormone levels. Future studies are needed to determine whether these differences have clinical significance.
Reutman
Susan R
SR
Department of Environmental Health, University of Cincinnati, Ohio, Cincinnati, USA. ereutman@hotmail.com
LeMasters
Grace Kawas
GK
Kesner
James S
JS
Shukla
Rakesh
R
Krieg
Edward F
EF
Knecht
Edwin A
EA
Lockey
James E
JE
D000328:Adult; D044383:Black People; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000097:blood; D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones / Q000652:urine*; D006062:Gonadotropins / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000097:blood; D044465:White People; D001741:Black or African American
D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones; D006062:Gonadotropins; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone