Altitude induced alterations in circulatory levels of PRL, LH, FSH and testosterone were studied in seven eugonadal men at sea level (SL), during their stay at high altitude (HA, 3500 m) and a week after return to SL. The mean plasma PRL level at SL was 5.83 k 1.7 SE ng/ml. On day one and seven of arrival at HA, the PRL values of 7.81 k 1.8 1 and 9.2 1 f 1.64 ndml respectively were not significantly different (p > 0.05) than the initial SL values. However, on day 18 of stay at HA, PRL levels were significantly increased (p < 0.01) to 17.68 k 1.82 n g / d and returned to initial SL values within seven days of return to SL. A significant decrease (p < 0.01) in LH and testosterone was observed on seventh day of stay at HA and the decreased levels were maintained till day 18 of observations. Plasma testosterone returned to the initial SL values within a week of return to SL, whereas LH levels remained significantly lower (p < 0.01). The FSH levels did not show any significant change during their stay at HA or after return to SL. These observations suggest that exposure to altitude is associated with hyperprolactenemia and an impaired pituitary gonadal function. The decreased levels of LH and testosterone at HA could either be due to hypoxic stress per se or secondary to altitude induced hyperprolactenemia.
Hormon-Profile beim Mann in groRer HoheZusarmnenfassung: Bei sieben gesunden Mannern mit normaler Hodenfunktion wurde der EinfluB groBer Hohe auf die zirkulierenden Werte von PRL, LH, FSH und Testosteron untersucht. Hierzu wurden diese Probanden zunachst in ein Seeklima (226 m) und dann in ein Hohenklima des Himalaya (3500 m) verbracht. Es ergab sich, daB die PRL-Werte signifkant anstiegen und sieben Tage nach der Riickkehr wieder normal waren. Fur LH und Testosteron wurde ein signifikanter Abfall im gleichen Zeitraum geobachtet, der fur LH langsamer zur Norm zuriickkehrte als es fur Testosteron zutraf. FSH zeigte demgegenuber keine signifkante Xnderung.Diese Beobachtungen belegen, d& der Aufenthlat in g r o k r Hohe mit einer Hyperprolaktinamie und einer gestorten Funktion der Hypophysen-Gonaden-Achse einhergeht. Der Abfall der LH-und Testosteron-Werte kann sowohl auf die Hypoxie als auch sekundar durch die hohenbedingte Hyperprolaktinamie bedingt sein.
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