Increase of acetone emitted by urine in relation to ovulation.
BACKGROUND
Selected ion flow tube mass spectrometry allows trace gas quantification in exhaled breath and in the air/vapor above liquids (headspace) down to the 10 parts-per-billion level. During selected ion flow tube mass spectrometry investigation of the volatile compounds emitted by urine, high acetone levels were incidentally identified in the headspace of urine from healthy female volunteers around their mid-cycle. Hence, this study was designed to measure urine headspace acetone levels throughout the menstrual cycle.


METHODS
Using selected ion flow tube mass spectrometry we measured daily urine headspace acetone concentrations of seven ovulating (group 1) and three postmenopausal volunteers (group 2).


RESULTS
A several-fold increase in urine headspace acetone level was detected 2-3 days after the predicted day of ovulation in 5 of the 7 volunteers in group 1. No such rise was detected in group 2.


CONCLUSIONS
This study provides the basis for future research to understand the reason for and the potential utility of this phenomenon.
Smith
David
D
Institute of Science and Technology in Medicine, School of Medicine, Keele University, Thornburrow Drive, Hartshill, Stoke-on-Trent ST4 7QB, UK.
Ismail
Khaled M K
KM
Diskin
Ann M
AM
Chapman
Gail
G
Magnay
Julia L
JL
Spanel
Patrik
P
O'Brien
Shaughn
S
D000096:Acetone / Q000652:urine*; D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000652:urine; D013058:Mass Spectrometry; D008597:Menstrual Cycle / Q000652:urine*; D008875:Middle Aged; D017698:Postmenopause / Q000652:urine; D016482:Urinalysis; D014835:Volatilization
D000096:Acetone; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone