---
title: Is cycle-related aggression linked to changes in breathing during the menstrual cycle?
description: In rats prone to cycle-related aggression, breathing rate was higher during one phase of the cycle, whereas non-aggressive rats showed no breathing changes. T
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/association-between-estrus-cycle-related-changes-in-respiration-and-estrus-cycle-2003/
---

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- Is cycle-related aggression linked to changes in breathing during the menstrual cycle?

Survey study, 2003

# Is cycle-related aggression linked to changes in breathing during the menstrual cycle?

In rats prone to cycle-related aggression, breathing rate was higher during one phase of the cycle, whereas non-aggressive rats showed no breathing changes. This may help explain similar patterns in humans with PMDD.

 Early or limited evidence

Female Wistar rats subdivided by aggression patterns across the estrus cycle

## What they did

Animal study in female Wistar rats. Researchers measured whether rats showing cycle-related aggression had different breathing patterns across the estrus cycle compared to rats that were not aggressive.

## What they found

Female rats showing cycle-related aggression had higher respiratory rate during the diestrus phase compared to the proestrus and estrus phases. Rats not showing cycle-related aggression showed no cycle-related changes in breathing.

## What it means for you

In rats prone to cycle-related aggression, hormonal changes affect both mood and breathing. This may help scientists understand PMDD in humans, but this is animal research. Findings need to be tested in people before drawing conclusions.

diestrus

Phase with higher respiration in aggressive rats

outbred

Type of rats studied

cycle-related

Type of aggression observed

## About the study

Original title Association between estrus cycle-related changes in respiration and estrus cycle-related aggression in outbred female Wistar rats Authors Olsson M, Ho HP, Annerbrink K et al. Journal Neuropsychopharmacology : official publication of the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology Year 2003 Study design Survey study What was tested None. Animal observational study of aggression and breathing changes. Read the paper [doi.org/10.1038/sj.npp.1300074](https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.npp.1300074)

## Topics

[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/)[Anxiety disorders and OCD](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-anxiety-disorders/)

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