TY - JOUR
T1 - Adrenocorticotropic hormone secretion in response to anticipatory stress and venepuncture
T2 - The role of menstrual phase and oral contraceptive use
AU - Pedersen, Marie Vadstrup
AU - Hansen, Line Mathilde Brostrup
AU - Garforth, Ben
AU - Zak, Paul J.
AU - Winterdahl, Michael
PY - 2023/8
Y1 - 2023/8
N2 - Introduction: Oral contraceptives (OCs) are primarily known for their effects on the reproductive system, but they can also impact the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis. The present study aimed to compare plasma adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) responses to the anticipatory stress of participating in a scientific experiment and venepuncture in OC users versus naturally cycling (NC) women, with a focus on variations throughout the menstrual cycle. Methods: We recruited 131 young women (average age 20.5) and obtained blood samples to measure plasma ACTH concentrations immediately after venepuncture and again after 15 min of group activities designed to facilitate interpersonal attachment and stress-buffering. Results: ACTH levels decreased in 70% of all participants throughout the group activities. A two-way repeated measures ANOVA highlighted a significant interaction between time and OC use, indicating differential changes in ACTH levels during social interaction between OC users and NC women. Further, the post-hoc analysis revealed that a period of stress-buffering group activities significantly decreased ACTH levels in NC women during menstrual and secretory phases, but not during the proliferative phase. In contrast, OC users did not display a decrease during group activities, regardless of the phase. Conclusion: This study underscores the influence of OC use on stress regulation, demonstrating that OCs not only modulate reproductive functions but also impact ACTH stress reactivity. Additionally, it emphasizes the importance of considering hormonal contraceptive use and menstrual cycle phases when assessing female stress responses.
AB - Introduction: Oral contraceptives (OCs) are primarily known for their effects on the reproductive system, but they can also impact the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis. The present study aimed to compare plasma adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) responses to the anticipatory stress of participating in a scientific experiment and venepuncture in OC users versus naturally cycling (NC) women, with a focus on variations throughout the menstrual cycle. Methods: We recruited 131 young women (average age 20.5) and obtained blood samples to measure plasma ACTH concentrations immediately after venepuncture and again after 15 min of group activities designed to facilitate interpersonal attachment and stress-buffering. Results: ACTH levels decreased in 70% of all participants throughout the group activities. A two-way repeated measures ANOVA highlighted a significant interaction between time and OC use, indicating differential changes in ACTH levels during social interaction between OC users and NC women. Further, the post-hoc analysis revealed that a period of stress-buffering group activities significantly decreased ACTH levels in NC women during menstrual and secretory phases, but not during the proliferative phase. In contrast, OC users did not display a decrease during group activities, regardless of the phase. Conclusion: This study underscores the influence of OC use on stress regulation, demonstrating that OCs not only modulate reproductive functions but also impact ACTH stress reactivity. Additionally, it emphasizes the importance of considering hormonal contraceptive use and menstrual cycle phases when assessing female stress responses.
KW - Adrenocorticotropic hormone
KW - Oral contraceptives
KW - Social interactions
KW - Stress
KW - Women's health
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85163154202&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.bbr.2023.114550
DO - 10.1016/j.bbr.2023.114550
M3 - Journal article
C2 - 37343838
AN - SCOPUS:85163154202
SN - 0166-4328
VL - 452
JO - Behavioural Brain Research
JF - Behavioural Brain Research
M1 - 114550
ER -