Response of plasma endorphins, prolactin and catecholamines in women to intense heat in a sauna.

Authors: Laatikainen T (1) , Salminen K (1) , Kohvakka A (2) , Pettersson J (3)

Affiliations:

(1) Departments of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Helsinki University Central Hospital (2) Malmi Municipal Hospital (3) Department of Biochemistry, University of Helsinki

Source: Eur J Appl Physiol Occup Physiol. 1988;57(1):98-102.

Language: English Countries: Not specified Location: Not specified Correspondence address: Not specified

Keywords

Article abstract

Concentrations of immunoreactive beta-endorphin (ir beta-E), corticotropin, cortisol, prolactin and catecholamines in plasma were followed in 11 healthy women during and after exposure to intense heat in a Finnish sauna bath, and compared to those in a similar control situation without exposure to heat. Heat stress significantly increased prolactin and norepinephrine secretion; the percentage increases from the initial plasma concentrations varied from 113 to 1280% (mean 510%) and from 18 to 150% (mean 86%), respectively. The response of the plasma levels of epinephrine, ir beta-E, corticotropin and cortisol to heat exposure was variable. Compared to the control situation, no statistically significant effect of heat exposure on the plasma levels of these hormones was found.

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