FLUCTUATIONS IN HUMAN SERUM LIPOPROTEINS DURING THE NORMAL MENSTRUAL CYCLE

Abstract

Lipoproteins were measured in sera from 11 young women having a similar environment and diet. Sera were obtained at weekly intervals over a 12-week period. The values of the lipoproteins during periods in the normal ovulatory cycle were compared to assess their relation to reported hormone concentrations in blood. Only the 4-0sf (HDL2) (d 1[center dot]125 sodium chloride) fraction changed significantly; it increased at ovulation in 10 of the 11 subjects and fell as menstruation approached. There was greater variability in most of the low-density rather than the high-density lipoproteins within individuals. The lipoprotein class most characteristic for an individual was the 4-0sf or HDL2 fraction.