Circadian rhythm changes in core temperature over the menstrual cycle: method for noninvasive monitoring.

The purpose of this study was to determine whether core temperature (T(c)) telemetry could be used in ambulatory women to track changes in the circadian T(c) rhythm during different phases of the menstrual cycle and, more specifically, to detect impending ovulation. T(c) was measured in four women who ingested a series of disposable temperature sensors. Data were collected each minute for 2-7 days and analyzed in 36-h segments by automated cosinor analysis to determine the mesor (mean temperature), amplitude, period, acrophase (time of peak temperature), and predicted circadian minimum core temperature (T(c-min)) for each cycle. The T(c) mesor was higher (P < or = 0.001) in the luteal (L) phase (37.39 +/-0.13 degrees C) and lower in the preovulatory (P) phase (36.91 +/-0.11 degrees C) compared with the follicular (F) phase (37.08 +/-0.13 degrees C). The predicted T(c-min) was also greater in L (37.06 +/- 0.14 degrees C) than in menses (M; 36.69 +/- 0.13 degrees C), F (36. 6 +/- 0.16 degrees C), and P (36.38 +/- 0.08 degrees C) (P < or = 0. 0001). During P, the predicted T(c-min) was significantly decreased compared with M and F (P < or = 0.0001). The amplitude of the T(c) rhythm was significantly reduced in L compared with all other phases (P < or = 0.005). Neither the period nor acrophase was affected by menstrual cycle phase in ambulatory subjects. The use of an ingestible temperature sensor in conjunction with fast and accurate cosinor analysis provides a noninvasive method to mark menstrual phases, including the critical preovulatory period.

[1]  J. Aschoff,et al.  A Survey on Biological Rhythms , 1981 .

[2]  W. Beckett,et al.  Changes in plasma volume during bed rest: effects of menstrual cycle and estrogen administration. , 1988, Journal of applied physiology.

[3]  L. A. Stephenson,et al.  Menstrual cycle phase and time of day alter reference signal controlling arm blood flow and sweating. , 1984, The American journal of physiology.

[4]  B. B. Rubenstein.  ESTIMATION OF OVARIAN ACTIVITY BY THE CONSECUTIVEDAY STUDY OF BASAL BODY TEMPERATURE AND BASAL METABOLIC RATE1 , 1938 .

[5]  G. C. Stephens,et al.  Biological Rhythms , 1959 .

[6]  L. DiPietro,et al.  Physiological variability of fluid-regulation hormones in young women. , 1999, Journal of applied physiology.

[7]  Theodore T. Zuck,et al.  The relation of basal body temperature to fertility and sterility in women , 1938 .

[8]  M. Kolka,et al.  Effect of luteal phase elevation in core temperature on forearm blood flow during exercise. , 1997, Journal of applied physiology.

[9]  S. Strogatz,et al.  Bright light resets the human circadian pacemaker independent of the timing of the sleep-wake cycle. , 1986, Science.

[10]  N. Xu,et al.  Optical response in two‐dimensional optical superlattices with Kerr nonlinearity , 1996 .

[11]  B. P. Wiesner,et al.  Thermogenic effect of progesterone. , 1945, Lancet.

[12]  G. Laughlin,et al.  Modification of circadian body temperature rhythm during the luteal menstrual phase: role of melatonin. , 1996, Journal of applied physiology.

[13]  Tammy J. Doherty,et al.  CIRCAD: Automated Analysis of Circadian Core Temperature Data. , 2000 .

[14]  Kathryn A. Lee.  Circadian Temperature Rhythms in Relation to Menstrual Cycle Phase , 1988 .

[15]  D. Deaver,et al.  Estrogen replacement in middle-aged women: thermoregulatory responses to exercise in the heat. , 1992, Journal of applied physiology.

[16]  M. E. Davis,et al.  The cause of physiologic basal temperature changes in women. , 1948, The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism.

[17]  W. Masters,et al.  Basal temperature studies in the aged female: influence of estrogen, progesterone, and androgen. , 1950, The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism.

[18]  M. Kolka,et al.  Esophageal temperature threshold for sweating decreases before ovulation in premenopausal women. , 1999, Journal of applied physiology.

[19]  J. Derr,et al.  Chronic hormone replacement therapy alters thermoregulatory and vasomotor function in postmenopausal women. , 1997, Journal of applied physiology.

[20]  P. Clopton,et al.  Temperature Circadian Rhythms during the Menstrual Cycle and Sleep Deprivation in Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder and Normal Comparison Subjects , 1997, Journal of biological rhythms.