Munagavalasa Ratna Deepti, Uma Valivety
BACKGROUND Menstrual cycle is a physiological state which is associated with numerous changes affecting the hormone levels. The blood counts change especially the leucocyte count and the platelet count, which may give an insight into the immunological status and the haemostatic changes during the different phases of the menstrual cycle. MATERIALS AND METHODS 100 women in the age group of 18-22 year were selected. Total leucocyte count is done by using Turks fluid and Neubauer’s Chamber and a compound microscope. Platelet count is done by using Reese-Ecker method. Counts were done during proliferative, secretory and menstrual phases. RESULTS In the present study, the total leucocyte count and platelet count were studied during the menstrual phase, proliferative and secretory phases in 100 subjects in the age group 18-22 years. The results are as follows: The mean age of the subject ± SEM is 18.65 ± 0.106 years. The TLC mean + SEM in menstrual phase is 8387 ± 137.51/cumm, in the proliferative phase, it is 5439.4 ± 78.87/cumm and in the secretory phase it is 5752.34±83.54/cumm. There is a mild increase in the TLC from the proliferative to secretory phase, which grossly increases by the onset of menstruation. The p value is <0.05 which shows that the changes are significant. The mean of the platelet count ± SEM in the proliferative phase is 3.12 ± 0.070 lakhs/cumm, in the secretory phase it is 2.97 ± 0.71 lakhs/cumm and in the menstrual phase it is 2.97±0.72 lakhs/cumm. CONCLUSION The leucocyte count is low during proliferative phase and increases to the maximum in the menstrual phase. The platelet count is high in the proliferative phase and gradually decreases to the lowest values in the menstrual phase
