Oral estradiol-valerate for 24 hours affects hormone levels in men and pre-menopausal women

[madman]

The pharmacological regimen increased E2 levels for more than 24 hours, affecting the HPG axis, LH, FSH, P4, TST, DHT, SHBG, and IGF-1. While E2 had similar effects to longer-term treatments, SHBG levels did not increase. TST and DHT changes could confound the effects of E2. These hormones have neuroactive properties that impact neural plasticity, morphology, and behavior. Consideration of TST and DHT changes is necessary when interpreting the effects of the pharmacological regimen on the brain and behavior.

 

[madman]

Table 1 Hormone levels, mood and side effects, and demographic

 

[madman]

Fig. 1. Hormone concentrations in response to the E2V regimen. (A) Day 1 and 2 saliva and serum levels of estradiol (E2). (B) Day 1 and 2 serum levels of luteinizing (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormones (FSH). Box plots show the median and interquartile range, * p < .05 posthoc tests from Day 1 to Day 2 within Sex. Hormone levels of women in red, of men in blue.

 

[madman]

Fig. 2. Hormone concentrations in response to the E2V regimen. (A) Day 1 and 2 saliva and serum levels of progesterone (P4; three women were excluded from this plot and the P4 analyses because their P4 levels suggested they were in the luteal phase) and (B) of testosterone (TST). (C) Day 1 and 2 serum levels of sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) and immune growth factors 1 (IGF-1). Box plots show the median and interquartile range, * p < .05 posthoc tests from Day 1 to Day 2 within Sex, t p = .05. Hormone levels of women in red, of men in blue. Mean levels of IGF-1 (F, Day 1 301 ng/ml; F, Day 2 267 ng/ml; M, Day 1 289 ng/ml; M, Day: 2 267 ng/ml) showed a stronger decrease than median levels, and mixed models confirmed a significant decrease in women and a trend towards significance in men.