ascorbic-acid and Anovulation

Evidence is growing that the equilibrium between reactive oxygen species and antioxidants plays a vital role in women's reproductive health.. The objective of this study was to evaluate variations in serum antioxidant concentrations across the menstrual cycle and associations between antioxidants and reproductive hormones and anovulation among healthy women.. The BioCycle Study, a prospective cohort, followed 259 women aged 18-44 y for up to 2 menstrual cycles. Serum fat-soluble vitamin and micronutrient (α-tocopherol, γ-tocopherol, retinol, lutein, lycopene, and β-carotene), ascorbic acid, and reproductive hormone concentrations were measured 5-8 times/cycle. We used weighted linear mixed models to assess associations between antioxidants and hormone concentrations, after adjustment for age, race, body mass index, parity, sleep, pain medication use, total energy intake, concurrent hormones, serum cholesterol, F2-isoprostanes, and other antioxidants. Generalized linear models were used to identify associations with anovulation.. Serum antioxidant concentrations varied across the menstrual cycle. Retinol and α-tocopherol were associated with higher estradiol [RR: 1.00 pg/mL (95% CI: 0.67, 1.34 pg/mL); RR: 0.02 pg/mL (95% CI: 0.003, 0.03 pg/mL), respectively] and testosterone [RR: 0.61 ng/dL (95% CI: 0.44, 0.78 ng/dL); RR: 0.01 ng/dL (95% CI: 0.001, 0.01 ng/dL), respectively]. Ascorbic acid was associated with higher progesterone (RR: 0.15 ng/mL; 95% CI: 0.05, 0.25 ng/mL) and with lower follicle-stimulating hormone (RR: -0.06 mIU/mL; 95% CI: -0.09, -0.03 mIU/mL). The ratio of α- to γ-tocopherol was associated with an increased risk of anovulation (RR: 1.03; 95% CI: 1.01, 1.06).. These findings shed new light on the intricate associations between serum antioxidants and endogenous hormones in healthy premenopausal women and support the hypothesis that concentrations of serum vitamins affect steroidogenesis even after adjustment for oxidative stress.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; alpha-Tocopherol; Anovulation; Antioxidants; Ascorbic Acid; beta Carotene; Carotenoids; Energy Intake; F2-Isoprostanes; Female; Follicle Stimulating Hormone; gamma-Tocopherol; Humans; Linear Models; Lutein; Lycopene; Menstrual Cycle; Ovulation; Premenopause; Progesterone; Prospective Studies; Surveys and Questionnaires; Testosterone; Vitamin A; Young Adult

The effect of the administration of 1-ascorbic acid, either alone or combined with clomiphene, upon induction of human ovulation was investigated in clomiphene-inffective anovulatory women. Oral administration of daily 400 mg of ascorbic acid induced ovulation in two out of five habitually anovulatory cycles and in one out of eight first-grade amenorrhea cases, and was ineffective in all six second-grade hypothalamic amenorrhea cases. Combined administration of ascorbic acid with 5 days of clomiphene induced ovulation in five out of five habitually anovulatory cycles, in 10 out of 17 first-grade hypothalamic amenorrhea cases, and in two out of nine second-grade hypothalamic amenorrhea cases. Pregnancy was established in eight out of 18 sterile, habitually-anovulatory or first-grade amenorrheic women with the combined ascorbic acid-clomiphene therapy, and in one out of five sterile, habitually anovulatory women with ascorbic acid therapy alone. Since administration of ascorbic acid induced no changed in blood FSH, LH, and amount of cervical mucus, and it is well established that LH decreases dose-dependency of the ascorbic acid content in the rat ovaries, the possible site of action of ascorbic acid seems to be at the ovarian level.

Topics: Administration, Oral; Anovulation; Ascorbic Acid; Cervix Mucus; Clomiphene; Drug Therapy, Combination; Female; Follicle Stimulating Hormone; Humans; Luteinizing Hormone; Ovulation Induction

Concentrations of Vitamin-C in the urine were determined in 35 women, 25 with normal ovulation and 10 with anovulatory cycles, in an attempt to evaluate the day of ovulation. The concentration was determined daily for 8 days after the oral administration of 500 mg of ascorbic acid. Results were confirmed by comparing the urine content of ascorbic acid with concentrations of luteinizing hormone determined in simulataneous serological tests. This method of ovulatory diagnostics proved to be effective and simple.

Topics: Anovulation; Ascorbic Acid; Female; Humans; Luteinizing Hormone; Menstruation; Ovulation Detection