The influence of sex hormones as well as zinc on the immune system

Status

Active, not recruiting

Phases

Unknown

Study type

Interventional

Source

DRKS

Registry ID

DRKS00039085

Enrollment

160

Registered

2026-02-11

Start date

2026-04-01

Completion date

Unknown

Last updated

2026-03-02

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Analyses of immune cells during the female cycle and the influence of zinc

Interventions

Group 1: female participants Group 2: male participants

Eligibility

Sex/Gender

All

Age

18 Years to 40 Years

Inclusion criteria

Inclusion criteria: - no immunological known diseases - regular menstrual cycle (only in females without contraception) - weight > 50kg

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion criteria: - pregnancy - acute or chronic infections - underlining diseases, which are known to influence the immune system - using medications, which are known to influence the immune system - irregular menstrual cycle - not able to give consent

Design outcomes

Primary

Measure	Time frame
1. phenotypic and functional analyses of NK cells and ILCs during the different stage within the female cycle (including trace elements, hormones, and cytokines) 2. Comparison of immune cell frequency and function (focus on NK cells and ILCs) before and after the 2-week zinc supplementation as well as after 3 months after zinc supplementation Methodology: Analysing the frequency and functionality of immune cells via flow cytometry, wester blot, PCR, potentially transcriptom analyses, in vitro cultures and functional measurements. Two questionaires. female participants: Three blood draws will be taken from female participants during their menstrual cycle: on day 3-5, day 12-15, and day 20-22. A 2-week zinc supplementation will be done within the second menstrual cycle, where blood draws will be done at the same time points. 3 months after the zinc supplementation the last blood will be drawn. male participants: Before the 2-week zinc supplementation, blood will be drawn. After the 2-week supplementation, blood will be drawn a second time. The last blood will be drawn after 3 months of the last zinc supplementation.	—

Measure

Time frame

1. phenotypic and functional analyses of NK cells and ILCs during the different stage within the female cycle (including trace elements, hormones, and cytokines) 2. Comparison of immune cell frequency and function (focus on NK cells and ILCs) before and after the 2-week zinc supplementation as well as after 3 months after zinc supplementation Methodology: Analysing the frequency and functionality of immune cells via flow cytometry, wester blot, PCR, potentially transcriptom analyses, in vitro cultures and functional measurements. Two questionaires. female participants: Three blood draws will be taken from female participants during their menstrual cycle: on day 3-5, day 12-15, and day 20-22. A 2-week zinc supplementation will be done within the second menstrual cycle, where blood draws will be done at the same time points. 3 months after the zinc supplementation the last blood will be drawn. male participants: Before the 2-week zinc supplementation, blood will be drawn. After the 2-week supplementation, blood will be drawn a second time. The last blood will be drawn after 3 months of the last zinc supplementation.

—

Secondary

Measure	Time frame
1. analyses of immune cells and hormones in the serum of female particpants with local contraceptions 2. Comparison before and after zinc supplementation (2-week supplementation, 3 months after last zinc intake) of immune cell frequency and function 3. Comparison of immune cell functionality between female participants with and without contraception	—

Countries

Germany

Contacts

Public ContactSabrina B. Bennstein

Institut für Immunologie, RWTH Aachen, Medizinische Fakultät

sbennstein@ukaachen.de+492418080203

Outcome results

None listed

Source: DRKS (via WHO ICTRP) · Data processed: Mar 14, 2026