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Reproductive Hormone Influences on Thermoregulation in Women

Nisha Charkoudian, Nina S. Stachenfeld

10.1002/cphy.c130029

Source: Volume 4, Issue 2, April 2014

Published online: March 2014

Full Article on Wiley Online Library



Abstract

The present discussion reviews current knowledge regarding influences of the primary reproductive hormones on mechanisms of thermoregulatory control in women. The human body is remarkably capable of maintaining body temperature within a few tenths of a degree of normal (37°C) over a wide range of activity and environmental exposures; this regulation is accomplished via integration of central and peripheral thermal information at the preoptic area of the anterior hypothalamus (PO/AH). We describe both central and peripheral mechanisms involved in controlling thermoregulation in humans, and how these mechanisms are affected by sex and hormone exposure. Estrogens generally promote vasodilation, heat dissipation, and lower body temperature and progesterone or progestins generally have the opposite effect. Estrogens and progesterone/progestins can also interact with androgens; this is an important point because androgens in the body can increase in both older and younger women. The study of reproductive hormone (estrogens, progesterone, luteinizing, and follicle stimulating hormones) effects on body systems is challenging because of the complex and multifaceted influences of these hormones, both individually and in combination. Thus, a number of methods to alter hormone exposure are explained in this article. We conclude that men and women do not exhibit major quantitative differences in physiological thermoregulatory responses to exercise and/or body heating when factors such as fitness and body size are taken into account. However, female and male reproductive hormones have important influences that can significantly alter individual thermoregulatory responses at various points throughout the lifespan. © 2014 American Physiological Society. Compr Physiol 4:793‐804, 2014.

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Figure 1. Figure 1. Schematic example of graphs used in analysis of thermoregulatory effector mechanisms (primarily sweating and cutaneous vasodilation), showing the relevant effector as a function of core body temperature. As core temperature increases, a point is reached (the threshold) at which the heat dissipation mechanism begins to increase. The slope of the relationship after this threshold is referred to as the sensitivity of the response. A “rightward” shift in threshold and/or a decrease in sensitivity will decrease the amount of heat dissipation for a given core temperature, resulting in less efficient heat loss. Vertical lines show the change in the amount of a given effector response (at a given core temperature) caused by a shift in threshold or sensitivity.
Figure 2. Figure 2. Typical concentrations of plasma estradiol and progesterone over a normal menstrual cycle (top) and during treatment with gonadotropin‐releasing hormone (GnRH) antagonist, followed by estradiol and progesterone (bottom). (65) With permission.
Figure 3. Figure 3. A classic example showing sweating rate as a function of esophageal temperature during the early follicular and mid luteal phases of the menstrual cycle. Note the shift to higher body core temperature of the sweating response in the luteal phase, resulting in lower sweating (and, presumably, heat dissipation) for a given core temperature in this phase (68). With permission.
Figure 4. Figure 4. Data from Silva and Boulant (60) showing the response of a warm sensitive neuron in the rat PO/AH region to estradiol and testosterone perfusion. This particular neuron increased its activity in response to estradiol but not to testosterone. Overall, 26% of warm sensitive neurons studied increased activity in response to estradiol, and 32% increased activity in response to testosterone. With permission.
Figure 5. Figure 5. Sweating rate as a function of core temperature in women under three different hormone conditions. Women were studied while taking GnRH antagonist with estradiol (E2) (open circles), and while taking GnRH (open triangles) antagonist with estradiol + testosterone (E2 + T) (solid squares). Data are expressed as mean ± SEM. (66) With Permission.


Figure 1. Schematic example of graphs used in analysis of thermoregulatory effector mechanisms (primarily sweating and cutaneous vasodilation), showing the relevant effector as a function of core body temperature. As core temperature increases, a point is reached (the threshold) at which the heat dissipation mechanism begins to increase. The slope of the relationship after this threshold is referred to as the sensitivity of the response. A “rightward” shift in threshold and/or a decrease in sensitivity will decrease the amount of heat dissipation for a given core temperature, resulting in less efficient heat loss. Vertical lines show the change in the amount of a given effector response (at a given core temperature) caused by a shift in threshold or sensitivity.


Figure 2. Typical concentrations of plasma estradiol and progesterone over a normal menstrual cycle (top) and during treatment with gonadotropin‐releasing hormone (GnRH) antagonist, followed by estradiol and progesterone (bottom). (65) With permission.


Figure 3. A classic example showing sweating rate as a function of esophageal temperature during the early follicular and mid luteal phases of the menstrual cycle. Note the shift to higher body core temperature of the sweating response in the luteal phase, resulting in lower sweating (and, presumably, heat dissipation) for a given core temperature in this phase (68). With permission.


Figure 4. Data from Silva and Boulant (60) showing the response of a warm sensitive neuron in the rat PO/AH region to estradiol and testosterone perfusion. This particular neuron increased its activity in response to estradiol but not to testosterone. Overall, 26% of warm sensitive neurons studied increased activity in response to estradiol, and 32% increased activity in response to testosterone. With permission.


Figure 5. Sweating rate as a function of core temperature in women under three different hormone conditions. Women were studied while taking GnRH antagonist with estradiol (E2) (open circles), and while taking GnRH (open triangles) antagonist with estradiol + testosterone (E2 + T) (solid squares). Data are expressed as mean ± SEM. (66) With Permission.
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Article Title: Reproductive Hormone Influences on Thermoregulation in Women
 

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Nisha Charkoudian, Nina S. Stachenfeld. Reproductive Hormone Influences on Thermoregulation in Women. Compr Physiol 2014, 4: 793-804. doi: 10.1002/cphy.c130029