Influence of gender and menopausal status on peripheral and choroidal circulation

Abstract

ABSTRACT.Purpose: To evaluate the influence of menopausal status and age on peripheral and ocular circulation assessed by means of continuous laser Doppler flowmetry (LDF). Methods: Fifty-three healthy participants were recruited randomly. Twenty-six men and 27 women were divided into two age groups. Choroidal blood flow was measured by LDF and peripheral circulation was measured at the fingertips (digit IV) using the Perimed PeriFlux (Ja¨rfa¨lla, Sweden) laser Doppler System 5000. Independent t-test and two-way analysis of variance (anova) were performed. Results: Group distribution was: male ⁄ female = 14 ⁄ 16 for the younger group and 12 ⁄ 11 for the older group. Average age across groups was 31.3 ± 6.8 ⁄ 28.4 ± 7.0 years and 66.3 ± 8.3 ⁄ 61.5 ± 3.6 years, respectively. Finger and choroidal LDF flow values were significantly different between the two female age groups (p < 0.001 and p = 0.03, respectively). In men this was not the case (p = 0.85 and p = 0.56, respectively). anova interaction p-value for the factors 'age group' and 'gender' for finger LDF flow was p = 0.012, and for choroidal LDF flow p = 0.049, demonstrating significant gender differences with ageing. Conclusion: Menopausal status in women has significant influence on both choroidal and peripheral blood flow; the opposite behaviour occurs with ageing.

Disturbed correlation between arterial resistance and pulsatility in glaucoma patients

“…However, the even distribution of these medications over the three groups would suggest a similar impact on the retrobulbar arteries that were studied. Additionally, our population presented with a high MOPP when compared for other reports assessing ocular blood flow (Resch et al 2011) (Kavroulaki et al 2010). This increased perfusion pressure must be taken into account when comparing conclusions as it may influence the arteries resistance and diameter at the time of study.…”

Choroidal thickness in relation to sex, age, refractive error, and axial length in healthy Turkish subjects

“…Difference in hormonal exposure is a likely biological explanation. One study reported estrogen receptor in human choroid, and it has been indicated that sex and hormonal status may influence choroidal blood flow [23][24][25]. Ulaş et al [26] reported that CT decreased significantly in the mid-luteal phase of the menstrual cycle in young healthy women.…”

Choroidal Volume Variations During Childhood

“…4,17 The significance of this finding remains uncertain; it has been suggested that one biological explanation may be a different hormonal exposure between males and females. Indeed, sex and hormonal status influence the choroidal blood flow, 21,22 and, therefore, also may influence the choroidal volume. However, as Park et al have reported recently, the effect of hormones may not be significant, at least in children.…”