Biomaterial Database

Plasma carnitine in women. Effects of the menstrual cycle and of oral contraceptives. 1983

A C Bach, and H Schirardin, and D Storck

The plasma concentrations of carnitine were determined in a group of 35 women and 35 men admitted to a clinic, and in another group of 18 women during their menstrual cycle. The values found for the women (45.1 +/- 2.6 nmol/ml of free carnitine and 59.1 +/- 2.8 nmol/ml of total carnitine) were not significantly different from the values obtained in men (respectively 42.4 +/- 1.7 and 55.5 +/- 1.9 nmol/ml). No direct relationship between the free or total carnitine concentrations and the concentrations of circulating lipids could be demonstrated. During the menstrual cycle the plasma concentrations of free and total carnitine remained unchanged. Intake of oral contraceptives caused an elevation in blood triacylglycerols and decreases in the levels of luteinizing hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone, and free and total carnitine.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D007986	Luteinizing Hormone	A major gonadotropin secreted by the adenohypophysis (PITUITARY GLAND, ANTERIOR). Luteinizing hormone regulates steroid production by the interstitial cells of the TESTIS and the OVARY. The preovulatory LUTEINIZING HORMONE surge in females induces OVULATION, and subsequent LUTEINIZATION of the follicle. LUTEINIZING HORMONE consists of two noncovalently linked subunits, alpha and beta. Within a species, the alpha subunit is common in the three pituitary glycoprotein hormones (TSH, LH and FSH), but the beta subunit is unique and confers its biological specificity.	ICSH (Interstitial Cell Stimulating Hormone),Interstitial Cell-Stimulating Hormone,LH (Luteinizing Hormone),Lutropin,Luteoziman,Luteozyman,Hormone, Interstitial Cell-Stimulating,Hormone, Luteinizing,Interstitial Cell Stimulating Hormone
D008055	Lipids	A generic term for fats and lipoids, the alcohol-ether-soluble constituents of protoplasm, which are insoluble in water. They comprise the fats, fatty oils, essential oils, waxes, phospholipids, glycolipids, sulfolipids, aminolipids, chromolipids (lipochromes), and fatty acids. (Grant & Hackh's Chemical Dictionary, 5th ed)	Lipid
D008297	Male		Males
D008598	Menstruation	The periodic shedding of the ENDOMETRIUM and associated menstrual bleeding in the MENSTRUAL CYCLE of humans and primates. Menstruation is due to the decline in circulating PROGESTERONE, and occurs at the late LUTEAL PHASE when LUTEOLYSIS of the CORPUS LUTEUM takes place.
D008875	Middle Aged	An adult aged 45 - 64 years.	Middle Age
D002331	Carnitine	A constituent of STRIATED MUSCLE and LIVER. It is an amino acid derivative and an essential cofactor for fatty acid metabolism.	Bicarnesine,L-Carnitine,Levocarnitine,Vitamin BT,L Carnitine
D003276	Contraceptives, Oral	Compounds, usually hormonal, taken orally in order to block ovulation and prevent the occurrence of pregnancy. The hormones are generally estrogen or progesterone or both.	Low-Dose Oral Contraceptive,Oral Contraceptive,Oral Contraceptives,Oral Contraceptives, Low-Dose,Oral Contraceptives, Phasic,Contraceptive, Low-Dose Oral,Contraceptive, Oral,Contraceptives, Low-Dose Oral,Contraceptives, Phasic Oral,Low Dose Oral Contraceptive,Low-Dose Oral Contraceptives,Oral Contraceptive, Low-Dose,Oral Contraceptives, Low Dose,Phasic Oral Contraceptives
D003277	Contraceptives, Oral, Combined	Fixed drug combinations administered orally for contraceptive purposes.	Combined Oral Contraceptive,Contraceptive Agents, Female, Combined,Oral Contraceptives, Combined,Combined Oral Contraceptives,Contraceptive, Combined Oral,Contraceptives, Combined Oral,Oral Contraceptive, Combined
D003280	Contraceptives, Oral, Synthetic	Oral contraceptives which owe their effectiveness to synthetic preparations.
D005260	Female		Females