Diurnal Rhythms of Serum Gonadotropins, Testosterone, Estradiol and Cortisol in Blind Men1

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Overall levels and diurnal rhythms of FSH and testosterone did not differ in a group of 7 totally blind males, age 20–36, from those observed in a previously studied comparable group of sighted subjects. LH levels were also not different between the 2 groups and no diurnal cyclicity of LH was seen in either. A diurnal rhythm in serum estradiol levels, similar to the one in testosterone, was seen in the blind subjects. Highest levels of FSH, testosterone and estradiol occurred near 08:00 hr. There was an apparent phase shift in circulating cortisol levels in blind subjects. Peak levels in the blind subjects occurred between 08:00 and 16:00 hr whereas in the sighted subjects the peak was at 08:00 hr and values were falling between 08:00 and 16:00 hr. These findings suggest that light is not an important determinant of diurnal gonadotropin and testosterone patterns but is an important regulatory factor of the diurnal cortisol rhythm in man.

This publication has 0 references indexed in Scilit: