Effects of the ovarian cycle on sympathetic neural outflow during static exercise

We compared reflex responses to static handgrip at 30% maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) in 10 women (mean age 24.1 ± 1.7 yr) during two phases of their ovarian cycle: the menstrual phase (days 1–4) and the follicular phase (days 10–12). Changes in muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA; microneurography) in response to static exercise were greater during the menstrual compared with follicular phase (phase effect P = 0.01). Levels of estrogen were less during the menstrual phase (75 ± 5.5 vs. 116 ± 9.6 pg/ml,days 1–4 vs.days 10–12;P = 0.002). Generated tension did not explain differences in MSNA responses (MVC: 29.3 ± 1.3 vs. 28.2 ± 1.5 kg, days 1–4 vs.days 10–12;P = 0.13). In a group of experiments with the use of ³¹P-NMR spectroscopy, no phase effect was observed for H⁺ and$H_2{PO}_4^{-}$ concentrations (n = 5). During an ischemic rhythmic handgrip paradigm (20% MVC), a phase effect was not observed for MSNA or H⁺ or$H_2{PO}_4^{-}$ concentrations, suggesting that blood flow was necessary for the expression of the cycle-related effect. The present studies suggest that, during static handgrip exercise, MSNA is increased during the menstrual compared with the follicular phase of the ovarian cycle.