Open AccessPlasma Levels Of Gastrin, Somatostatin, Vip, Insulin And Oxytocin During The Menstrual Cycle In Women (With And Without Oral Contraceptives)
Author(s) -
UvnäsMsoberg Kerstin,
Sjögren Christer,
Westlin Lilian,
Anderson Per Olof,
Stock Solveig
Publication year - 1989
Publication title -
acta obstetricia et gynecologica scandinavica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.401
H-Index - 102
eISSN - 1600-0412
pISSN - 0001-6349
DOI - 10.3109/00016348909009906
Subject(s) - medicine , endocrinology , somatostatin , menstrual cycle , gastrin , oxytocin , insulin , basal (medicine) , hormone , secretion
The aim of the present study was to investigate whether plasma levels of gastrin, somatostatin, insulin, oxytocin, VIP and blood glucose levels vary during the menstrual cycle. Therefore, 19 healthy menstruating women (5 of whom were on low‐dose oral contraceptives, o.c.) were blood sampled every second to third day during the menstrual cycle. Hormone levels were measured with radio‐immunoassay. Gastrin, insulin, VIP and blood sugar levels remained unchanged during the menstrual cycle. Mean somatostatin levels were significantly lower in women receiving o.c. than in women without such medication (p<0.05). In women on o.c., somatostatin concentrations were also significantly lower during the menstrual week, than during the rest of the period (p<0.01), but in women without o.c., no such change occurred. Mean oxytocin levels were significantly higher in women on o.c. (p<0.01) and in these women, oxytocin levels recorded during the menstrual week were significantly lower than during the rest of the period (p<0.02). Systolic and diastolic blood pressure values were also significantly higher in women on o.c. (p < 0.05 and p < 0.01). In conclusion, these data show that basal plasma concentrations of gastrin, somatostatin, VIP, insulin and glucagon do not vary during the menstrual cycle. However, ingestion of low‐dose oral contraceptives causes a significant decrease of somatostatin concentrations and a significant increase in oxytocin levels, suggesting that low doses of estragens and/or gestagens may influence digestive and metabolic processes.