The long range goals of this research are to ascertain the endocrine mechanisms responsible for the interruption of reproductive function in women engaged in vigorous exercise training or moderate training with dietary inadequacies. Extending previous work, exercise intensity will be moderated somewhat, the subjects being engaged continuously in basic training of low intensity, which is increased only during the follicular or luteal phases of successive cycles. Menstrual and endocrine phenomena (urinary excretion of reproductive hormones and free cortisol) will be followed, as well as the bioimmuno-ratios of LH and FSH in serial plasma samples and LH pulse characteristics at the beginning and end of training. Follicular development will be monitored by ultrasound. The complementary role of dietary factors in athletic menstrual disorders will be investigated by making similar observations in women subjected to varying degrees of dietary deprivation throughout an exercise training program of moderate intensity.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health & Human Development (NICHD)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01HD018999-07
Application #
3316148
Study Section
Reproductive Endocrinology Study Section (REN)
Project Start
1984-07-01
Project End
1993-03-31
Budget Start
1991-04-01
Budget End
1993-03-31
Support Year
7
Fiscal Year
1991
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
Boston University
Department
Type
Schools of Allied Health Profes
DUNS #
604483045
City
Boston
State
MA
Country
United States
Zip Code
02118
Williams, N I; Bullen, B A; McArthur, J W et al. (1999) Effects of short-term strenuous endurance exercise upon corpus luteum function. Med Sci Sports Exerc 31:949-58
Williams, N I; Young, J C; McArthur, J W et al. (1995) Strenuous exercise with caloric restriction: effect on luteinizing hormone secretion. Med Sci Sports Exerc 27:1390-8
Williams, N I; McArthur, J W; Turnbull, B A et al. (1994) Effects of follicular phase exercise on luteinizing hormone pulse characteristics in sedentary eumenorrhoeic women. Clin Endocrinol (Oxf) 41:787-94
McArthur, J W; Turnbull, B A; Pehrson, J et al. (1993) Nalmefene enhances LH secretion in a proportion of oligo-amenorrheic athletes. Acta Endocrinol (Copenh) 128:325-33
Skrinar, G S; Williams, N I; Bullen, B A et al. (1992) Changes in body consciousness relate to regularity of exercise training. Percept Mot Skills 75:696-8
Beitins, I Z; McArthur, J W; Turnbull, B A et al. (1991) Exercise induces two types of human luteal dysfunction: confirmation by urinary free progesterone. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 72:1350-8
McArthur, J W; Gilbert, I; Henery, R J et al. (1990) The effects of submaximal endurance exercise upon LH pulsatility. Clin Endocrinol (Oxf) 32:115-26
Peachey, S E; Skrinar, G S; Leeman, S E et al. (1989) Effect of acute exercise on plasma neurotensin levels. Peptides 10:753-6
Henery, R J; Turnbull, B A; Kirkland, M et al. (1989) The detection of peaks in luteinizing hormone secretion. Chronobiol Int 6:259-65