Study of Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate,serum Total Protein, Serum Albumin,serum Globulin and Red Blood Cell Count in Different Phases of Menstrual Cycle

BACKGROUND: Menstruation is a phenomenon unique to females and nearly universal experience in women's lives and is poorly understood. It is characterized by co-ordinate sequence of hormonal changes but the changes that occur in the distribution of hematological parameters, biochemical parameters have not been clearly established. AIMS: To compare Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR), Serum total protein, Serum albumin, Serum globulin and Red Blood Cell count (RBC) in different phases of menstrual cycle. MATERIALS & METHODS: The present study was carried out on 100 healthy female medical students in the age group of 18 to 23years with normal menstrual cycle. E.S.R, Serum total protein, Serum albumin, Serum globulin and RBC count were studied on 2nd day MP(Menstrual Phase),11th day PP(Proliferative Phase), 22ndday SP(Secretory Phase) of menstrual cycle using Wintergreen’s method, semi auto analyzer Erba chem-7(BCG Dye method) for serum proteins, Hemo Auto analyzer SYSMEX KX-21 respectively. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS 17.0 Software. To compare means of two independent groups, student’s ttest for independent samples was used. RESULTS: The study revealed that ESR was significantly (P<0.01) higher in menstrual phase compared to proliferative phase. Serum total protein was significantly increased in Secretory Phase (SP) compared to Menstrual Phase (MP) (P<0.05). Serum albumin was significantly (P<0.05) increased in proliferative phase compared to secretory phase and menstrual phase. Serum globulin was significantly increased in SP compared to PP (P<0.05). Red blood cell count showed no significant changes during various phases of menstrual cycle. CONCLUSION: In the present study we found significantly low level of serum albumin and decreased RBC count though not significant increases rouleaux formation thus increasing ESR in the menstrual phase but serum globulin and serum total protein showed increase in secretory phase which does not explain ESR changes.