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.
Department of Environmental Health, University of Cincinnati, Ohio, Cincinnati, USA. ereutman@hotmail.com
Susan R
SR
Reutman
Grace Kawas
GK
LeMasters
James S
JS
Kesner
Rakesh
R
Shukla
Edward F
EF
Krieg
Edwin A
EA
Knecht
James E
JE
Lockey
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