Longitudinal changes in reproductive hormones through the menopause transition in the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC)

Goncalves Soares, A., Kilpi, F., Fraser, A., Nelson, S. M. , Sattar, N. , Welsh, P. I. , Tilling, K. and Lawlor, D. A. (2020) Longitudinal changes in reproductive hormones through the menopause transition in the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC). Scientific Reports, 10, 21258. (doi: 10.1038/s41598-020-77871-9) (PMID:33277550) (PMCID:PMC7718240)

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Abstract

We characterised changes in reproductive hormones—LH, FSH, SHBG and AMH—by chronological age and time around the menopause (reproductive age) in mid-life women and explored their associations with lifestyle and reproductive factors. We used data from 1608 women from a UK cohort who had repeat hormone measures and experienced a natural menopause. Multilevel models were used to assess: (i) changes in hormones (outcomes) by reproductive age and chronological age (these age variables being the key exposures) and (ii) associations of body mass index (BMI), smoking, alcohol intake, parity and age at menarche with changes in hormones by reproductive age. Both LH and FSH increased until ~ 5 and 7 years postmenopause, respectively, after which they declined, but not to premenopausal levels. SHBG decreased slightly until ~ 4 years postmenopause and increased thereafter. AMH decreased markedly before menopause and remained low subsequently. For all hormones, the best fitting models included both reproductive and chronological age. BMI, smoking and parity were associated with hormone changes; e.g., higher BMI was associated with slower increase in LH and FSH and decrease in AMH. Reproductive and chronological age contribute to changes in LH, FSH, SHBG and AMH across mid-life in women, and BMI, smoking and parity are associated with these hormone changes.

Item Type:Articles
Additional Information:Funding: This work was supported by the British Heart Foundation (Grant Ref: SP/07/008/24066), Wellcome Trust (Grant Ref: WT092830M) and UK Medical Research Council (Grant Ref: G1001357). The UK Medical Research Council and Wellcome (Grant Ref: 102215/2/13/2) and the University of Bristol provide core support for ALSPAC, with additional support from a very wide range of national and international funders (a comprehensive list of grant funding is available on the ALSPAC website: http://www.bristol.ac.uk/alspac/external/documents/grant-acknowledgements.pdf). Roche Diagnostics provided support for the reproductive hormone measures. ALGS, FK, AF, KT and DAL work in, or are affiliated to, a Unit that is funded by the UK Medical Research Council (Grant Refs: MC_UU_00011/6 and MC_UU_00011/3) and University of Bristol. DAL is a National Institute for Health Research Senior Investigator (NF-0616-10102) and AF and ALGS are funded by a UK MRC fellowship awarded to AF (MR/M009351/1).
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Welsh, Professor Paul and Nelson, Professor Scott and Sattar, Professor Naveed
Authors: Goncalves Soares, A., Kilpi, F., Fraser, A., Nelson, S. M., Sattar, N., Welsh, P. I., Tilling, K., and Lawlor, D. A.
College/School:College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Cardiovascular & Metabolic Health
College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Medicine, Dentistry & Nursing
Journal Name:Scientific Reports
Publisher:Nature Research
ISSN:2045-2322
ISSN (Online):2045-2322
Copyright Holders:Copyright © The Author(s) 2020
First Published:First published in Scientific Reports 10: 21258
Publisher Policy:Reproduced under a Creative Commons Licence

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Project CodeAward NoProject NamePrincipal InvestigatorFunder's NameFunder RefLead Dept
190524The relationship of the menopausal transition to healthy aging and chronic disease riskNaveed SattarWellcome Trust (WELLCOTR)092830/Z/10/ZInstitute of Cardiovascular & Medical Sciences
190835The menopausal transition and healthy ageing and wellbeingScott NelsonMedical Research Council (MRC)G1001357/1Med - Reproductive and Maternal Medicine