The effect of the menstrual cycle and of decompression stress on arachidonic acid-induced platelet aggregation and on intrinsic platelet thromboxane production in women compared with men.

Menstrual cycle variations in platelet aggregation and thromboxane production in association with sex steroids have been reported. External stimuli such as decompression sickness have been associated with clotting activity changes, specifically, increased platelet aggregation. Differences in response of platelets from women and men, when subjected to such a stress, have been observed. This study evaluated the ability of washed platelets from women in the proliferative and secretory phases of the menstrual cycle to aggregate in response to arachidonic acid and the aggregation difference between washed platelets from women and men in response to decompression stress and arachidonic acid. Additionally, platelet thromboxane production differences between the assessed platelet populations were compared. Our results indicate no difference in platelet aggregability between phases of the menstrual cycle. A significant aggregation difference between platelets from women and men was noted. Platelets from women were more sensitive to arachidonic acid aggregation. These differences were not affected by decompression stress. No difference in thromboxane B2 production was noted between the platelet populations evaluated.