---
title: Does menstrual cycle aggression in rats relate to breathing changes?
description: Female rats that showed aggression during their menstrual-like cycle had higher variation in their breathing depth, which may help explain why women with prem
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/association-between-estrus-cycle-related-aggression-and-tidal-volume-variability-2004/
---

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- Does menstrual cycle aggression in rats relate to breathing changes?

Survey study, 2004

# Does menstrual cycle aggression in rats relate to breathing changes?

Female rats that showed aggression during their menstrual-like cycle had higher variation in their breathing depth, which may help explain why women with premenstrual dysphoria show increased breathing variability.

 Early or limited evidence

Female Wistar rats (animal study, not human subjects)

## What they did

Animal study using female Wistar rats. Rats were divided into two groups: those showing aggression during the estrus cycle and those not showing aggression. Researchers measured how their breathing tidal volume varied during different cycle phases.

## What they found

Rats displaying cycle-related aggression had higher tidal volume variability during the diestrus phase compared to non-aggressive rats. The cycle phase itself did not affect breathing variability overall. These findings matched what researchers have observed in women with premenstrual dysphoria, who also show increased respiratory variability.

## What it means for you

This rat study suggests a possible link between mood changes and physical breathing patterns during the menstrual cycle. However, because this is animal research using rats and not human studies, we cannot directly apply these findings to women. Animal models help scientists develop theories and test them before human research, but do not prove anything about human PMS.

2

groups of rats compared

## About the study

Original title Association between estrus cycle-related aggression and tidal volume variability in female Wistar rats Authors Melchior LK, Ho HP, Olsson M et al. Journal Psychoneuroendocrinology Year 2004 Study design Survey study What was tested No intervention; observed behavior and breathing patterns during menstrual cycle Read the paper [doi.org/10.1016/j.psyneuen.2003.10.008](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psyneuen.2003.10.008)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pmdd/)[Menstrual cycle and mood](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-cycle-mood/)[Low mood and depression](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-depression-mood/)[Anxiety and tension](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-anxiety/)[Irritability and anger](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-irritability-anger/)

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