[abstract] ASSESSMENT OF COMPLEMENT ACTIVATION IN FEMALES IN RELATION TO MENSTRUAL CYCLE.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: to determine if there is a correlation between complement activation and menstrual cycle. METHODS: Three females had blood samples taken three times per week for a period of six weeks. Plasma was separated and divided into two portions. One portion was put into a vial which had no bubbles present; the other portion was put into a similar vial, but with a constant volume bubble. The vials were randomly inserted into a rotator which allowed bubble transversion of the vial. The rotator was then placed into a 37 degree C oven and the vials rotated for 30 min. Upon completion, the vials were immediately removed and frozen at -70 degrees C for storage. In addition, serum samples were obtained for both progesterone and estridiol levels as well as basal body temperatures upon wakening. Upon completion of the sample collection and incubations, the vials were thawed and the plasma samples processed for both C3a and C5a complement fractions using the Ammersham radioimmunoassay kits. The serum samples were processed according to laboratory standards. RESULTS: The complement activation was compared against the temporal endocrine measurements and basal temperatures. DISCUSSION: Comparison of the temporal relationship will be discussed.