Interview study, 2019
Do spiny mice show behavioral changes before menstruation?
This is the first study showing that female spiny mice have behavioral changes similar to PMS. However, the findings are only in mice, not humans, so we cannot be sure the same mechanisms apply to people.
What they did
Researchers measured behavioral responses and food intake in 20 female spiny mice during different phases of their menstrual cycle. They tested how the mice reacted to being handled by researchers, how they explored new spaces, and how much they ate at different cycle stages.
What they found
During the premenstrual phase (late luteal and early menstrual) compared to the early follicular phase, the mice had a 4-fold increased likelihood of showing difficulties during restraint (P<0.01) and increased vocalizations.
What it means for you
This suggests that spiny mice could help scientists understand the biological mechanisms of PMS. However, this is only preliminary evidence in mice, not humans, so the biological causes may be completely different. The sample size is also small.
4
fold increase in handling difficulties in premenstrual phase
20
spiny mice studied
<0.01
p-value (probability this is random chance)
About the study
- Original title
- Altered exploratory behaviour and increased food intake in the spiny mouse before menstruation: a unique pre-clinical model for examining premenstrual syndrome
- Authors
- Bellofiore N, Cousins F, Temple-Smith P et al.
- Journal
- Human reproduction (Oxford, England)
- Year
- 2019
- Study design
- Interview study
- Participants
- 20
- What was tested
- None - observation of natural menstrual cycle changes
- Open access
- Yes
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1093/humrep/dey360
Topics
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