The Circadian Rhythm of Plasma Melatonin During the Normal Menstrual Cycle and in Amenorrheic Women*

BRZEZINSKI, AMNON; LYNCH, H. J.; SEIBEL, M. M.; DENG, M. H.; NADER, T. M.; WURTMAN, R. J.

doi:10.1210/jcem-66-5-891

Cited by 178Circadian rhythm and melatoninHypothalamic control of reproductive hormonesOvarian function and disorders

The Circadian Rhythm of Plasma Melatonin During the Normal Menstrual Cycle and in Amenorrheic Women*

BRZEZINSKI, AMNON, LYNCH, H. J., SEIBEL, M. M., DENG, M. H., NADER, T. M., WURTMAN, R. J.·1988·The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism

DOI 10.1210/jcem-66-5-891

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Abstract

Plasma melatonin, PRL, and LH levels were measured in samples collected every 2 h for 24 h from 14 normally cycling women during the early follicular, periovulatory, and luteal phases of their menstrual cycles. Plasma melatonin levels also were measured in samples collected at the same interval from 7 patients with hypothalamic amenorrhea. A distinct daily rhythm in plasma melatonin was evident in all subjects, with peaks occurring around 0300 h. Each woman's rhythm was remarkably consistent throughout the menstrual cycle (in terms of the phase, amplitude, and total melatonin secreted). Plasma PRL levels also exhibited daily rhythms which did not change during the menstrual cycle; the nocturnal peak plasma PRL level tended to occur 1-2 h after that for melatonin. Among the amenorrheic women, both daytime and nighttime melatonin levels were significantly higher (P less than 0.005) than in the normal women. Their plasma PRL levels were similar to those in the normal women. We conclude that, as for PRL, the circadian rhythm of melatonin secretion does not change significantly during the normal menstrual cycle. The elevated plasma melatonin levels in women with hypothalamic amenorrhea suggest that the hormone may be involved in the neuroendocrine pathology underlying this disorder.

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Prolactin showed either a trend for increased amplitude during the luteal phase compared with the follicular phase or no change across the menstrual cycle.
“PRL showed either a trend for increased amplitude during the LP compared to the FP [64] or no change across the menstrual cycle [60].”
From Sleep, hormones, and circadian rhythms throughout the menstrual cycle in healthy women and women with premenstrual dysphoric disorder (2010) · cites this paper as [60]
Most other studies have found no change in the patterns of melatonin secretion across the menstrual cycle in healthy women.
“Most other studies have found no change in the patterns of melatonin secretion (including onset, offset, duration, midpoint, and AUC) across the menstrual cycle in healthy women [47, 60–62, 65, 67].”
From Sleep, hormones, and circadian rhythms throughout the menstrual cycle in healthy women and women with premenstrual dysphoric disorder (2010) · cites this paper as [60]

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Method
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“Brzezinski et al. (1988) reported that women with hypothalamic amenorrhea had elevated levels of melatonin, suggesting that disturbances in the hormone may be involved in the neuroendocrine pathology underlying this disorder.”
BackgroundInfluential
Late, but not early, wake therapy reduces morning plasma melatonin: Relationship to mood in Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder
Parry, B. L., Meliska, C. J., Martínez, L. F., López, A. M. V., Sorenson, D. L., Hauger, R. L., & Elliott, J. A. (2008) · Psychiatry Research · doi:10.1016/j.psychres.2007.11.017 · Cited by 24 · see citing works
“In contrast, melatonin rhythms did not change with the menstrual cycle in 11 NC subjects, as also reported by Brzezinski et al. (1988) and Berga and Yen (1990).”
Background
Pineal and adrenal function before and after refeeding in anorexia nervosa
Kennedy, S. H., Brown, G. M., McVey, G. L., & Garfinkel, P. E. (1991) · Biological Psychiatry · doi:10.1016/0006-3223(91)90106-v · Cited by 23 · see citing works
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Method
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Background
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Authors: BRZEZINSKI, A., LYNCH, H. J., SEIBEL, M. M., DENG, M. H., NADER, T. M., & WURTMAN, R. J.
Affiliations: Harvard University (US)
ORCID: BRZEZINSKI, AMNON
Venue: The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism
Publisher: The Endocrine Society
Published: 1988-05
Volume: 66
Issue: 5
Pages: 891-895
ISSN: 0021-972X (ISSN-L)
1945-7197
DOI: 10.1210/jcem-66-5-891
OpenAlex: W2009634330
Cited by: 177
References: 0
Citations by year: 2025: 1 · 2023: 2 · 2022: 1 · 2021: 1 · 2020: 2 · 2019: 3 · 2018: 1 · 2017: 1 · 2015: 1 · 2014: 2 · 2013: 7 · 2012: 1
FWCI: 8.14
Type: journal article
Language: en
Open access: closed
Locations: The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism (publishedVersion)
PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders: National Center for Research Resources (5MO1 RR00088)
Topics: Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Endocrine and Autonomic Systems › Circadian rhythm and melatonin
Health Sciences › Medicine › Reproductive Medicine › Hypothalamic control of reproductive hormones
Health Sciences › Medicine › Reproductive Medicine › Ovarian function and disorders
Keywords: plasma melatonin, circadian rhythm, menstrual cycle, hypothalamic amenorrhea, prolactin, luteinizing hormone, nocturnal melatonin secretion
MeSH terms: Adult, Amenorrhea, Circadian Rhythm, Female, Follicular Phase, Follicle Stimulating Hormone, Humans, Hypothalamic Diseases, Luteinizing Hormone, Luteal Phase, Melatonin, Menstrual Cycle, Prolactin

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The Circadian Rhythm of Plasma Melatonin During the Normal Menstrual Cycle and in Amenorrheic Women*

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