Menstrual cycle influence on skeletal muscle mitochondrial respiration in humans

Abstract The menstrual cycle influences function in various tissues in the body. We sought to determine if menstrual cycle phase could influence mitochondrial function in skeletal muscle in females. Twenty‐nine females with regular menstrual cycles were randomized to have a vastus lateralis muscle b...

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Main Authors: W. Bradley Nelson, Brandon S. Pfeifer, Ashley R. Lovell, Erik D. Marchant, Briell V. Mitchell, Erin L. Atkinson, Trevor L. Murphy, Sydney L. Poulsen, Jay R. K. Baird, Chad R. Hancock, Robert D. Hyldahl
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2025-07-01
Series:Physiological Reports
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.14814/phy2.70458
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author W. Bradley Nelson
Brandon S. Pfeifer
Ashley R. Lovell
Erik D. Marchant
Briell V. Mitchell
Erin L. Atkinson
Trevor L. Murphy
Sydney L. Poulsen
Jay R. K. Baird
Chad R. Hancock
Robert D. Hyldahl
author_facet W. Bradley Nelson
Brandon S. Pfeifer
Ashley R. Lovell
Erik D. Marchant
Briell V. Mitchell
Erin L. Atkinson
Trevor L. Murphy
Sydney L. Poulsen
Jay R. K. Baird
Chad R. Hancock
Robert D. Hyldahl
author_sort W. Bradley Nelson
collection DOAJ
description Abstract The menstrual cycle influences function in various tissues in the body. We sought to determine if menstrual cycle phase could influence mitochondrial function in skeletal muscle in females. Twenty‐nine females with regular menstrual cycles were randomized to have a vastus lateralis muscle biopsy during either the early follicular or luteal phase. High‐resolution respirometry was used to determine mitochondrial respiration on permeabilized muscle fibers. Glutamate/malate LEAK respiration was significantly higher during the luteal phase compared to the early follicular phase. Glutamate/malate/succinate LEAK respiration was the same during both menstrual cycle phases, as was maximal coupled and uncoupled respiration. There were no differences in fatty acid‐supported respiration. The fatty acid‐supported coupling efficiency ratios of 1‐OcM (octanoylcarnitine/malate) LEAK over maximal coupled respiration and 1‐OcM LEAK over maximal uncoupled respiration were both significantly higher in mitochondria from the early follicular phase than in the luteal phase. Mitochondrial H2O2 emission (glutamate/malate/succinate supported) was significantly increased in muscle from the early follicular phase. We detected no differences in mitochondrial content using citrate synthase activity between phases of the menstrual cycle. Collectively, our observations demonstrate a limited influence of the menstrual cycle on certain measures of submaximal respiration, coupling efficiencies, and H2O2 emission.
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spelling doaj-art-dc3bdabe3da14f2aa50a66a5566474302025-08-20T03:27:44ZengWileyPhysiological Reports2051-817X2025-07-011313n/an/a10.14814/phy2.70458Menstrual cycle influence on skeletal muscle mitochondrial respiration in humansW. Bradley Nelson0Brandon S. Pfeifer1Ashley R. Lovell2Erik D. Marchant3Briell V. Mitchell4Erin L. Atkinson5Trevor L. Murphy6Sydney L. Poulsen7Jay R. K. Baird8Chad R. Hancock9Robert D. Hyldahl10Exercise Sciences Brigham Young University Provo Utah USAExercise Sciences Brigham Young University Provo Utah USANutrition, Dietetics and Food Science Brigham Young University Provo Utah USANutrition, Dietetics and Food Science Brigham Young University Provo Utah USAExercise Sciences Brigham Young University Provo Utah USANutrition, Dietetics and Food Science Brigham Young University Provo Utah USANutrition, Dietetics and Food Science Brigham Young University Provo Utah USANutrition, Dietetics and Food Science Brigham Young University Provo Utah USAExercise Sciences Brigham Young University Provo Utah USANutrition, Dietetics and Food Science Brigham Young University Provo Utah USAExercise Sciences Brigham Young University Provo Utah USAAbstract The menstrual cycle influences function in various tissues in the body. We sought to determine if menstrual cycle phase could influence mitochondrial function in skeletal muscle in females. Twenty‐nine females with regular menstrual cycles were randomized to have a vastus lateralis muscle biopsy during either the early follicular or luteal phase. High‐resolution respirometry was used to determine mitochondrial respiration on permeabilized muscle fibers. Glutamate/malate LEAK respiration was significantly higher during the luteal phase compared to the early follicular phase. Glutamate/malate/succinate LEAK respiration was the same during both menstrual cycle phases, as was maximal coupled and uncoupled respiration. There were no differences in fatty acid‐supported respiration. The fatty acid‐supported coupling efficiency ratios of 1‐OcM (octanoylcarnitine/malate) LEAK over maximal coupled respiration and 1‐OcM LEAK over maximal uncoupled respiration were both significantly higher in mitochondria from the early follicular phase than in the luteal phase. Mitochondrial H2O2 emission (glutamate/malate/succinate supported) was significantly increased in muscle from the early follicular phase. We detected no differences in mitochondrial content using citrate synthase activity between phases of the menstrual cycle. Collectively, our observations demonstrate a limited influence of the menstrual cycle on certain measures of submaximal respiration, coupling efficiencies, and H2O2 emission.https://doi.org/10.14814/phy2.70458menstrual cycle phasemitochondrial respirationskeletal muscle
spellingShingle W. Bradley Nelson
Brandon S. Pfeifer
Ashley R. Lovell
Erik D. Marchant
Briell V. Mitchell
Erin L. Atkinson
Trevor L. Murphy
Sydney L. Poulsen
Jay R. K. Baird
Chad R. Hancock
Robert D. Hyldahl
Menstrual cycle influence on skeletal muscle mitochondrial respiration in humans
Physiological Reports
menstrual cycle phase
mitochondrial respiration
skeletal muscle
title Menstrual cycle influence on skeletal muscle mitochondrial respiration in humans
title_full Menstrual cycle influence on skeletal muscle mitochondrial respiration in humans
title_fullStr Menstrual cycle influence on skeletal muscle mitochondrial respiration in humans
title_full_unstemmed Menstrual cycle influence on skeletal muscle mitochondrial respiration in humans
title_short Menstrual cycle influence on skeletal muscle mitochondrial respiration in humans
title_sort menstrual cycle influence on skeletal muscle mitochondrial respiration in humans
topic menstrual cycle phase
mitochondrial respiration
skeletal muscle
url https://doi.org/10.14814/phy2.70458
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