The Effects of Ramadan Fasting on the Levels of Gonadotrophins

Authors

  • S M Bakir Department of Physiology College of Medicine and King Khalid University Hospital Riyadh Saudi Arabia
  • M M.T. Kordy Department of Physiology College of Medicine and King Khalid University Hospital Riyadh Saudi Arabia
  • A M.A. Gader Department of Physiology College of Medicine and King Khalid University Hospital Riyadh Saudi Arabia
  • O Karrar Department of Biochemistry College of Medicine and King Khalid University Hospital Riyadh Saudi Arabia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5915/24-1-15469

Keywords:

Ramadan, Fasting, Gonadotrophins

Abstract

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5915/24-1-15469

FSH and LH levels were measured al 9:00 a.m., 4:00 p.m., 9:00 p.m. and 4:00 a.m. in eleven healthy subjects observing the dawn to sunset fast of the Muslim Holy Month of Ramadan. Similar measurements were undertaken in an ordinary non-fasting day for comparison.

Significant diurnal fluctuations of these hormones were noted. In a non-fasting day FSH levels peaked at 9:00 a.m., while the lowest level was at 9:00 p.m. During Ramadan, levels of FSH were highest at 4:00 a.m. (3.29 ± 2.72 IU/L) and lowest at 9:00 a.m. (1.28 ± 0.27 IU/L). The LH levels in an ordinary non-fasting day were highest at 9:00 a.m., while during Ramadan peak levels were noted at 4:00 a.m.

The significantly high gonadotrophin levels at 4:00 a.m. suggest that hypothalamic pituitary axis for gonadotrophin release exhibits peak activation in the early morning hours, more so in a Ramadan day than in a non-fasting day.

Author Biographies

S M Bakir, Department of Physiology College of Medicine and King Khalid University Hospital Riyadh Saudi Arabia

M.B.Ch.B.

Department of Physiology
College of Medicine and King Khalid University Hospital
Riyadh
Saudi Arabia

M M.T. Kordy, Department of Physiology College of Medicine and King Khalid University Hospital Riyadh Saudi Arabia

M.B.Ch.B., Ph.D.

Department of Physiology
College of Medicine and King Khalid University Hospital
Riyadh
Saudi Arabia

 

A M.A. Gader, Department of Physiology College of Medicine and King Khalid University Hospital Riyadh Saudi Arabia

M.B.B.S., Ph.D.

Department of Physiology
College of Medicine and King Khalid University Hospital
Riyadh
Saudi Arabia

O Karrar, Department of Biochemistry College of Medicine and King Khalid University Hospital Riyadh Saudi Arabia

Department of Biochemistry
College of Medicine and King Khalid University Hospital
Riyadh
Saudi Arabia

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Published

1992-01-01

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Original Articles