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Menstrual Cycle Misfire

When Biochemistry Meets Burnout

By Megna Tiwari, Erin L. Dolan

Menstrual Cycle Misfire


 

Abstract

This case study introduces students to glycoscience through the lens of reproductive physiology and endocrine regulation. Although glycosylation plays critical roles in biological regulation, it is rarely incorporated into undergraduate life science instruction outside of specialized glycobiology courses. This case study focuses on luteinizing hormone (LH), a glycosylated hormone essential for reproductive function to help students connect glycosylation to broader principles in biochemistry, cell biology, physiology, endocrinology, and molecular biology. Through an interrupted, data-driven narrative, students investigate why a student experiencing chronic stress and low energy availability develops menstrual dysfunction. As the case unfolds, students analyze datasets including hormone profiles, protein structure, receptor signaling assays, and mass spectrometry data. Using these data, students determine how altered glycosylation affects LH bioactivity and downstream hypothalamic–pituitary–ovarian signaling. The case emphasizes structure–function relationships, systems-level thinking, and scientific reasoning through active-learning strategies and collaborative discussion. By framing glycosylation as a core regulator of protein function rather than an isolated topic, this case provides instructors with an approachable way for integrating glycoscience into a wide range of undergraduate life science courses.

   

Date Posted

10/05/2026

Overview

Objectives

  • Differentiate between hormone concentration and bioactivity and explain why standard assays can misrepresent physiological function.
  • Interpret biochemical or physiological data to infer how hormone variation affects endocrine function.
  • Explain the biochemical role of glycosylation in modulating LH structure, half-life, and receptor activity.
  • Describe how lifestyle factors (stress, exercise, nutrition) can affect hormone glycosylation.
  • Predict how restoring metabolic and hormonal balance (nutrition, stress management) would shift LH glycoform composition and reproductive function.
  • Integrate structural, functional, and hormonal data to propose mechanistic explanations for endocrine dysregulation.

Keywords

Glycoscience; glycobiology; luteinizing hormone; LH; endocrinology; menstrual cycle; reproductive physiology; structure–function; hormone signaling; post-translational modifications; women’s health; biochemistry; cell biology; data analysis; mass spectrometry; hypothalamic–pituitary–ovarian axis; HPO axis; endocrinology

  

Subject Headings

Anatomy
Biology (General)
Biomedical Engineering
Biotechnology
Cell Biology
Developmental Biology
Medicine (General)
Molecular Biology
Organic Chemistry
Physiology
Public Health
Science (General)

EDUCATIONAL LEVEL

Undergraduate upper division, Clinical education

  

FORMAT

PDF, PPTX

   

TOPICAL AREAS

N/A

   

LANGUAGE

English

   

TYPE/METHODS

Interrupted

 

 

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