Intensive sports practice seems to exert negative effects on semen parameters; in order to assess these effects, the objective of this study was to assess semen, including DNA fragmentation, and hormone parameters in elite triathletes. Twelve high-level triathletes preparing for a National Triathlon Championship participated in the study. The qualitative sperm parameters analysed were volume, sperm count, motility, morphology and DNA fragmentation; when needed, additional testing was performed. Assessed hormones were testosterone (T), cortisol (C) and testosterone-cortisol ratio (T/C). Maximum oxygen consumption and training characteristics were also assessed. Hormonal values and physical semen parameters were within normal ranges. DNA fragmentation showed high values (20.4 ± 6.1%). Round cells in semen were higher than normal (2.8 ± 1.5 million/ml), with the presence of macrophages. Correlations were found for several parameters: concentration of round cells positively correlated with progressive sperm motility (p = .01) and sperm morphology (p = .02); contrarily, the correlation found with DNA fragmentation was negative (p = .04). Sperm DNA fragmentation and the T/C ratio, however, were correlated in a positive manner (p = .03). As evidenced by the observed results, sperm DNA fragmentation is affected by high-level sports practice; therefore, high loads of endurance training could potentially interfere with the athlete's fertility potential.

a b s t r a c tObjective: The present case study analyzes semen quality, nutritional patterns, and hormonal and oxidative status of an international high-level triathlete with a low-volume, high-intensity training load. Method: The athlete was 26 years old, having participated in competitions since he was 13 years old, and practiced professional triathlon for the last five years. The qualitative sperm parameters analyzed were volume, sperm count, motility, morphology, and DNA fragmentation (additional testing performed as needed). Salivary hormones measured were T, C, and T/C. Seminal plasma total antioxidant capacity was measured. Maximum oxygen consumption and training characteristics were assessed. To determine habitual food intake and its possible repercussion on oxidative status, a quali-quantitative frequency questionnaire of 136 different foods was used and subsequently analyzed using specific software. Results: Hormonal and physical semen parameters were within normal ranges. Sperm morphology and DNA fragmentation showed abnormal values (3.9% and 38.33%). Round cells in semen were higher than normal (2.3 million/ml), with presence of macrophages. Apoptotic and necrotic events were observed. Total antioxidant capacity, although not compromised, was low. Dietetic intake was characterized by excess protein and appropriate overall antioxidant intake (with slight deficit and excess of some specific nutrients) according to recommended values. Conclusions: In this high-intensity endurance athlete, sperm parameters, mainly sperm morphology and DNA fragmentation, are altered. Further knowledge is needed with regards nutritional antioxidant intake and other dietetic strategies oriented toward avoiding oxidative damage in semen of high-performance triathletes. Moreover, adequate nutritional strategies must be found and nutritional advice given to athletes so as to palliate or dampen the effects of exercise on semen quality. Hallazgo de alteraciones en semen, nutricionales, hormonales, del estado antioxidante y fragmentación de ADN en un triatleta de élite. Caso clínicoPalabras clave: Entrenamiento de resistencia Triatlón Semen Hormonas Estado oxidativo Nutrición Fragmentación ADN r e s u m e n Objetivo: El presente estudio de caso analiza la calidad de semen, patrones nutricionales y status hormonal y oxidativo de un triatleta internacional de alto nivel con carga de entrenamiento de bajo volumen y alta intensidad. Método: Atleta de 26 años de edad, con una práctica deportiva competitiva desde los 13 años, y cinco años de triatlón profesional. Los parámetros cualitativos analizados en semen fueron: volumen, contaje espermático, motilidad, morfología, y fragmentación de ADN, con pruebas adicionales según necesidad. Las hormonas salivares cuantificadas fueron: T, C, y T/C. La capacidad antioxidante total fue medida en plasma seminal. También se analizó el consumo máximo de oxígeno y características de entrenamiento. Para determinar la ingesta alimentaria habitual y su posible repercusión sobre el estado oxidativo, se ...

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Endurance exercise induces notable acute hormonal responses on the gonadal and adrenal hormones. The purpose of this study was to assess the changes in salivary testosterone (Ts), salivary cortisol (Cs) and T/C ratio during long-distance triathlon. Ten well-trained male triathletes participated in the study and were assessed for hormonal changes at four time-points (pre-competition, post-swimming, postcycling, and post-running phases). Ts decreased from pre-competition to post-swimming (from 93.37 pg/mL to 57.63 pg/mL; p < .01) and increased during two other parts of the competition to almost precompetition values (cycling: 79.20 pg/mL, p = .02; running: 89,66 pg/mL, p = .04, respectively). Cs showed a similar behaviour; decreasing in the post-swimming phase (1.74 pg/mL) and increasing in the other transitions (post-cycling: 7.30 pg/mL; post-running: 13.31 pg/mL), with significant differences between pre-competition and post-competition values (p = .01). Conversely, T/C increased significantly from pre-competition to post-swimming phase (p = .04) to later decrease until the end of the competition. Overall, T/C significantly decreased (p < .05). In conclusion, during an Ironman triathlon, hormone values fluctuate in response to the demands of the competition. Ts and Cs decrease after-swimming, increase after-cycling and reach the maximum values afterrunning. T/C reflects overall catabolic status.