The Effect Of Metabolism On Period Synchronization In Female College Students

In the natural environment,the synchronization of the biological rhythms of the same species is of great significance for the predation,defense,mating,and reproduction of the population.The ovulation of female animals is regulated by the lunar phase and the phenomenon of menstrual synchronization is shown in females living in groups.However,the biological mechanism behind the menstrual synchronization hasn’t been reported so far.The current study investigated the menstrual synchronization of female college students,and explored the possible mechanism of different metabolic levels affecting the menstrual synchronization.This study lasted for 3 years.A total of 176 newly enrolled female college students(age: M ±SE = 17.86 ± 0.624 years old)in 34 dormitories participated the research.The women’s menstrual dates were collected weekly via a questionnaire survey,and their metabolic-related data were obtained by using electronic equipment and a digital app.The data includes 1)the start and end dates of the menstrual period;2)metabolic-related data(body temperature,weight,BMI,protein,bone mass,muscle,basal metabolic rate,water content)during both menstrual and non-menstrual periods.The data were statistically analyzed by using ISM SPSS Statistics 26.0 software.The comparison of the length of the menstrual period and average differences in the start date of the menstrual period between school living and home living was performed by one-way ANOVA analysis.The effects of students’ metabolism on their menstrual synchronization were analyzed by using logistic regression.The main results include that(1)menstrual synchronization was observed in the female students while they lived in the dormitories but not at home(p < 0.05).The standard deviation of the menstrual period length under the group life of female college students(5.37 ± 2.443)was significantly larger than that in the home life(4.29 ± 2.076);the average starting difference of the menstrual period under the group life of the college students(5.84 ± 2.190)was significantly smaller than that in the home life(6.67 ± 1.840);(2)In the first month of dormitory life,the metabolic level at the beginning and end of the menstrual period had no significant effect on the synchronization.The BMI index(β =-0.844,p = 0.033,OR = 0.430)and protein levels(β =-1.234,p = 0.008,OR = 0.291)during the non-menstrual period showed a negative correlation with menstrual synchronization;The BMI index at the beginning of the fourth month menstrual period(β =-0.811,p = 0.015,OR = 0.444)were significantly negatively correlated with the menstrual synchronization.The individual protein level(β =-0.852,p = 0.032,OR = 0.427)revealed a significant negative correlation with the menstrual synchronization,and other metabolic data had no significant effect.We concluded that the females’ menstrual synchronization occurred during the dormitory living period and individuals’ BMI index and protein level have significant effects on menstrual period synchronization.Our study first reported the correlation of metabolism with menstrual synchronization in female college students.