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.
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
Topics
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