Low pulse oxygen saturation in post-menopausal women at high altitude is related to a high serum testosterone/estradiol ratio.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

The present study was designed to determine if low pulse oxygen saturation (SpO(2)) in post-menopausal women at high altitude was related to high serum testosterone/estradiol (T/E(2)) ratio.

METHOD:

Studies were carried out in 191 women living in Cerro de Pasco, Peru (4340 m above sea level) and in 56 women living in Lima (150 m asl). Body weight, height, SpO(2), hematocrit, serum follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), T and E(2) levels were measured in all women. Body mass index (BMI), menopausal status and serum T/E(2) ratio were calculated from data.

RESULT:

At high altitude, the values of SpO(2), serum T, and serum E(2) were significantly lower in post-menopausal than in pre-menopausal women. Hematocrit, serum FSH levels, and serum T/E(2) ratios were significantly higher in post-menopausal women. Serum T and E(2) levels, T/E(2) ratio, SpO(2), and hematocrit levels were not further changed with time after menopause. Women with SpO(2)<85% had lower serum E(2), a higher serum T/E(2) ratio, and higher hematocrit values than women with SpO(2)>90%. At high altitude, multiple regression analysis showed that low SpO(2) was related to menopausal status (-2.6+/-0.83; beta+/-S.E.; P<0.002) and not to chronological age (-0.06+/-0.04; P: NS). Further analysis showed that low SpO(2) was related to high basal serum FSH levels and a high serum T/E(2) ratio in the presence of an interaction between FSH and T/E(2).

CONCLUSION:

Low values of SpO(2) in women at high altitude were related to a high T/E(2) ratio.

• Authors: G F Gonzales, A Villena
• Journal: International journal of gynaecology and obstetrics: the official organ of the International Federation of Gynaecology and Obstetrics (Int J Gynaecol Obstet) Vol. 71 Issue 2 Pg. 147-54 (Nov 2000) ISSN: 0020-7292 [Print] United States
• PMID: 11064012 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Testosterone
• Estradiol
• Follicle Stimulating Hormone
• Oxygen

Topics

• Adult
• Aged
• Altitude
• Altitude Sickness (blood, physiopathology)
• Case-Control Studies
• Estradiol (blood)
• Female
• Follicle Stimulating Hormone (blood)
• Hematocrit
• Humans
• Middle Aged
• Oximetry
• Oxygen (blood)
• Peru
• Postmenopause (blood)
• Premenopause (blood)
• Testosterone (blood)