Women at Altitude: Effects of Menstrual Cycle Phase and Alpha-Adrenergic Blockade on High Altitude Acclimatization
Abstract
Three field studies were conducted under the award. The purpose of the first year's studies was to examine the effect of the menstrual cycle on acclimatization to high altitude (4300 m) in healthy, normally menstruating women. Twenty women were studied in the follicular and luteal phases of the menstrual cycle while residing at sea level and again in either the follicular or the luteal phase during the course of a sojourn in the US Army Research institute of Environmental Medicine (USARIEM) laboratory on the summit of Pikes Peak, CO (4300 m). The second year's studies were conducted at USARIEM to determine the role of alpha-I adrenergic activity and its interaction with menstrual cycle phase in early altitude acclimatization. Fifteen women were exposed to an effective altitude of 4300 m in a hypobaric chamber for 52 hr on two occasions, once while being treated with an alpha -1 blocker (prazosin) and once while taking a placebo. Cycle phase was the same (follicular or luteal) during the blocked and unblocked studies for each subject. Sea level studies were performed prior to the altitude exposure. In year three, the purpose of the study was to determine the role of alpha-I adrenergic activity and its interaction with cycle phase during altitude acclimatization. Sixteen women were divided into two groups, half treated with an alpha-I blocker (prazosin) and the remaining half with placebo.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 1999
- Accession Number
- ADA371312
Entities
People
- Lorna G. Moore
Organizations
- University of Colorado Health