<p> Introduction: Alpha-glyceryl phosphoryl choline (A-GPC) is a supplement designed to elevate free circulating plasma choline concentration and elevate growth hormone levels. Increased choline and growth hormone availability has the potential to enhance strength and power during resistance exercise. Caffeine has also been shown to raise serum choline levels and enhance athletic performance. In addition, both caffeine and A-GPC have the potential to improve cognitive function. Purpose: The purpose of the study was to examine if caffeine and/or a novel A-GPC supplement can enhance isometric strength, explosive ability, and cognitive function in healthy young males. Participants: Subjects included 48 college-aged males. Participants were randomly assigned to one of four treatment groups. Subgroups consumed a seven-day supply of either 250mg A-GPC, 500mg A-GPC, 200mg of caffeine, or a placebo. Methods: Participants performed a vertical jump test, isometric mid-thigh pull, upper-body isometric strength test, and a psychomotor vigilance test. Blood samples were collected on day one after performance tests in order to monitor plasma choline and growth hormone levels. Participants consumed the rest of their supplement pack before returning on day seven to repeat performance tests. Results: No significant differences were observed in peak force, peak power, rate of force development, alertness, or reaction time from pre to post-supplementation in any group. Conclusion: Although the results of this study do not support the use of A-GPC or caffeine to enhance isometric strength, explosive ability, or cognitive functioning, this is the first human study to date to examine the effects of both caffeine and A-GPC on all the aforementioned variables simultaneously thus making it a novel investigation. It is suggested that future studies administer larger doses of caffeine/A-GPC.</p>

acase@tulane.edu

acase@tulane.edu

acase@tulane.edu

acase@tulane.edu

The effects of small lesions in the preoptic area in female rats on estrous cycles, LH responsiveness, and receptivity were studied. Regularly cycling rats were randomly assigned to one of the following conditions: lesions in the medial preoptic nucleus (MPN), organum vasculosum of the lamina terminalis (OVLT), periventricular preoptic area (P-POA), OVLT + P-POA, MPN + P-POA, or operated controls, and unoperated controls. Lesions in the P-POA and OVLT + P-POA resulted in the highest percentage of persistent vaginal cornification (PVC), while lesions of the MPN were most often associated with repetitive pseudopregnancy (RPP). Combined lesions of the MPN + P-POA gave mixed effects. Lesions of the OVLT alone did not reliably disrupt estrous cycles. No difference was found between the groups' LH concentrations in response to EB and P. However, when combined on the basis of vaginal smear history, the RPP group most consistently responded with a surge, and the PVC group tended to give the lowest levels of LH. Receptivity tested with EB alone, EB and P, and in a repetitive coital stimulation paradigm with low estrogen priming, was most severely disrupted in those animals with either P-POA or OVLT + P-POA lesions. The behavior of the other lesion groups was similar to that of the controls. When combined according to vaginal smear history, the RPP animals showed the highest levels of receptivity under all conditions, while the PVC animals tended to be the least receptive. The higher LH values and increased receptivity of the RPP animals were attributed to a heightened responsiveness to estrogen due to incomplete destruction of the estrogen sensitive neurons. The decrease in receptivity seen in those animals with lesions in the P-POA and OVLT + P-POA could be due to disruption of the LH-RH system that is closely associated with the walls of the third ventricle. The failure of the OVLT lesions to affect either estrous cycles or receptivity is likely due to the limited damage which was seen in this region / acase@tulane.edu

acase@tulane.edu

acase@tulane.edu

acase@tulane.edu

The relative contribution of internal and external factors to the experience of menstruation was assessed in this study. To ascertain external effects, comparisons were made between postovulation and menstruation cycle phases, both characterized by low levels of hormonal activity. Comparisons between premenstruation (typified by hormonal fluctuation) and postovulation allowed for assessment of the influence of internal factors on behavior. Additionally, to determine if physiological factors prevail over social/psychological factors, comparisons were made between premenstruation and menstruation, two hormonally dissimilar states overtly distinguished by menstrual flow. The 150 subjects were administered the Tennessee Self Concept Survey (TSCS), the Mood Adjective Checklist (MACL), a Semantic Differential measure, and Ziller's self-other orientation task on four separate occasions. College females' (n = 89) menstrual cycle phase was covertly determined by the Billings' Ovulation Method. In addition, self concept was experimentally manipulated to establish the sensitivity of these instruments. Male subjects (n = 61) were tested separately; their data provided support for the self-concept manipulation as well as for the cover story control. All subjects viewed menstruation as having considerable debilitating influence on women's physical, emotional, and mental activity. Catholic females and Jewish males viewed the effects of menstruation to be most serious, a relationship positively corelated with religiosity. In addition, Semantic Differential data indicated that menstruation is viewed negatively, a perception more exaggerated during menstruation than at other times. Generally, long menses (> 5 days) females showed less behavioral fluctuation than did short menses ((LESSTHEQ) 5 days) subjects. These two groups differed with regard to mood, self concept, and social orientation during the cycle, indicating that they should be considered separately when discussing the effects of menstruation on behavior. Some support was provided for the hypothesis that experience of menstruation is influenced by social conditioning. Differences in self concept were found which suggest that menstruating females experience conflict and confusion. Additionally, women tended to interact less during menstruation than during postovulation. They also reported being closer to boyfriends premenstrually than postovulatorily. Mood changes appeared to be more dependent on physiological factors. Specifically, menstruating women experienced an increase in the moods subsumed under the factor, Euphoria, when compared to premenstruation. Females also reported feeling more tired and inactive premenstrually. Perhaps these mood changes reflect physiological influences more than social influences. As such, premenstrual hormone fluctuations may influence moods more strongly than social factors during menstruation. The self-concept manipulation provided support for the sensitivity of the instruments employed in this study. Moreover, menstruating women in the high self-concept manipulation group showed the greatest influences of the manipulation on the TSCS and MACL measures. These females more positively reevaluated themselves in comparison to postovulatory subjects. The low self-concept manipulation had least effect on menstruating females, indicating that perhaps poor performance simply confirmed their expectations. The results of this study lend support to the notion that the experience of menstruation is mediated by external factors. Thus, while the influence of hormones on behavior is important, its effect does not appear to be as pervasive as once thought / acase@tulane.edu