Ovulatory plasma amine (epinephrine and norepinephrine) surge in the woman

Two normally cycling women were studied through one complete menstrual cycle with daily oral basal body temperature recordings and daily 24 hour urine collections. Blood was drawn in the basal state beginning with one patient on Day 9 and with the other patient on Day 12 of the menstrual cycle. Blood determinations were for follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone (LH), and plasma epinephrine and norepinephrine. Urinary determinations were for creatinine, epinephrine, and norepineprine. Results indicate that a gradual rise in urinary norepinephrine occurs following ovulation which is greater than the preovulatory excertion. Urinary epinephrine does not significantly vary during the stages of the menstrual cycle. One patient showed a significant plasma amine surge on the same day as the LH surge. The other patient showed a plasma amine surge on the day of the LH peak and also on the 2 preceding days. These observations of a plasma amine surge in the woman that coincide with or precede the LH surge have not been previously reported. They indicate an increased sympathetic response around the time of ovulation and are most likely associated with a central phenomenon.