CARDIOVASCULAR-RESPONSE TO NOISE IN TYPE-A AND TYPE-B FEMALE SUBJECTS - EFFECT OF THE OVARIAN CYCLE

The aim of the investigation was to study the heart rate and finger pulse responses during the menstrual cycle in type A and type B female subjects. Nine type A's and nine type B's were selected by using the French version of Bortner's short rating scale questionaire. They were exposed to noise in three different periods of the menstrual cycle; menses (day 0-2), pre-ovulation (8-10) and post-ovulation (22-24). No significant difference in tonic heart rate level between type A's and type B's was found. The percentages of HRR and FPR were not significantly different for the two types of subjects. However, the amplitude of HRR and FPR were significantly higher in type A's than in type B's. significant differences related to the periods of the menstrual cycle were also found. In type B's, the amplitude of HRR was larger during menses than during the two other periods. In type A's, the amplitude of the FPR was higher during the menses than during the pre-ovulation. The percentage of noise stimuli eliciting HRR and FPR did not vary as a function of the menstrual cycle. These results are discussed in terms of excitability and balance of the autonomic nervous system.