Abstract
FEMALE body temperature rises by about 0.5 °C at or near ovulation and remains elevated during the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle. Sustained elevation of basal body temperature is observed also during early pregnancy. These effects have been attributed to progesterone, but little is known about the mechanisms involved1. We have now found that the hormone affects the activity of the thermosensitive neurones in the preoptic area of the brain.
Similar content being viewed by others
Article PDF
References
Kappas, A., and Palmer, R. H., Pharmac. Rev., 15, 123–167 (1963).
Nakayama, T., Eisenman, J. S., and Hardy, J. D., Science, 134, 560–561 (1961).
Nakayama, T., Hammel, H. T., Hardy, J. D., and Eisenman, J. S., Am. J. Physiol., 204, 1122–1126 (1963).
Hardy, J. D., Hellon, R. F., and Sutherland, K., J. Physiol., Lond., 175, 242–253 (1964).
Cabanac, M., Stolwijk, J. A. J., and Hardy, J. D., J. appl. Physiol., 24, 645–652 (1968).
Wit, A., and Wang, S. C., Am. J. Physiol., 215, 1160–1169 (1968).
Eisenman, J. S., Am. J. Physiol., 216, 330–334 (1969).
Nakayama, T., and Hori, T., J. appl. Physiol., 34, 351–355 (1973).
Zarrow, M. X., Shoger, R. L., and Lazo-Wasem, E. A., J. clin. Endocr. Metab., 14, 645–652 (1954).
Ishizuka, N., J. Jap. Obstet. Gynec. Soc., 9, 907–925 (1957).
Buxton, C. L., and Atkinson, W. B., J. clin. Endoc. Metab., 8, 544–549 (1948).
Israel, S. L., and Schneller, O., Fert. Steril., 1, 53–64 (1950).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
NAKAYAMA, T., SUZUKI, M. & ISHIZUKA, N. Action of progesterone on preoptic thermosensitive neurones. Nature 258, 80 (1975). https://doi.org/10.1038/258080a0
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/258080a0
This article is cited by
-
Egg-laying increases body temperature to an annual maximum in a wild bird
Scientific Reports (2022)
-
Sleep, Circadian Rhythms, and Fertility
Current Sleep Medicine Reports (2016)
-
Effect of menstrual cycle on thermal perception and autonomic thermoregulatory responses during mild cold exposure
The Journal of Physiological Sciences (2015)
-
Estrogen modulates central and peripheral responses to cold in female rats
The Journal of Physiological Sciences (2010)
-
Influences of female reproductive hormones on sympathetic control of the circulation in humans
Clinical Autonomic Research (2001)
Comments
By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.