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An inverse relationship between testosterone and muscle sympathetic nerve activity: an investigation in lean healthy females
Author(s) -
Madison Erin Elizabeth,
Miner Jonathon Cory,
Miner Jennifer Ann,
Kaplan Paul F.,
Minson Christopher Todd
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.27.1_supplement.1118.37
Subject(s) - testosterone (patch) , microneurography , medicine , endocrinology , polycystic ovary , hyperandrogenism , hormone , blood pressure , heart rate , obesity , baroreflex , insulin resistance
It has been documented that women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) have an elevated level of testosterone, which coincides with having an increased resting level of sympathetic activity, as measured by muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA). However, there is a lack of research into the effect of moderate testosterone levels on sympathetic activity in lean, healthy females. In order to isolate the impact of testosterone in these women, the level of estrogen and progesterone were controlled via hormonal suppression in 8 healthy, lean women using a gonadotropin hormone antagonist (GnRHa) protocol. After four continuous days of estradiol and progesterone suppression, each subject came into the lab for testing of total testosterone level via blood sample, and MSNA via microneurography of the peroneal nerve. The study day testosterone level in these lean women ranged from 10.3 – 36.4 ng/dL, and the average burst frequency at rest was 2 – 22 bursts/min. A negative correlation was found between total testosterone levels and MSNA (R 2 =48.26, p=0.056). Although a positive correlation has previously been documented in women with increased levels of the hormone testosterone, this study showed a negative relationship between these two variables under normal ranges of testosterone. Supported by NIH Grant HL081671.