American Journal of Human Biology
Volume 21, Issue 3, 2009, Pages 301-304

Total estradiol levels in migrant and British-born British Pakistani women: Investigating early life influences on ovarian function (Article)

Pollard T.M.* , Unwin N. , Fischbacher C. , Chamley J.K.
  • a Department of Anthropology, Durham University, South Road, Durham DH1 3LE, United Kingdom
  • b Institute of Health and Society, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 4HH, United Kingdom
  • c Information Services Division, NHS National Services, Edinburgh EH12 9EB, United Kingdom
  • d Institute of Health and Society, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 4HH, United Kingdom

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that women who grow up in energetically stressed environments have later menarche and lower total estradiol levels during their reproductive years than do women who grow up in less energetically stressed environments. We assessed total estradiol in a serum sample taken 9-11 days after the start of the menstrual cycle in 26 women who grew up in Pakistan and migrated to the UK as adults, in 28 British-born British Pakistani women, and in 25 British-born women of European origin. Women who grew up in Pakistan reported a later menarche than women who grew up in the UK. However, we found no significant differences between the groups in total estradiol level. Thus our findings do not support the hypothesis that estradiol levels are partially determined during early life. However, having considered our findings in relation to those of other studies, we conclude that new methodological approaches are needed to provide a more definitive test of the hypothesis. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Author Keywords

[No Keywords available]

Index Keywords

blood sampling Pakistan regression analysis human priority journal Great Britain ethnology hypothesis menstrual cycle Humans Emigrants and Immigrants female Article British Asian blood early life stress estradiol adult environmental stress migration United Kingdom age distribution Case-Control Studies Menarche case control study ovary function estradiol blood level Follicular Phase
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-67449127058&doi=10.1002%2fajhb.20859&partnerID=40&md5=2df76d9fb4930399287f3e93921f978a
DOI: 10.1002/ajhb.20859
ISSN: 10420533
Cited by: 2
Original Language: English