Gonadal Hormones and Semen Quality in Male Runners

Abstract

Eleven high mileage runners (HR) (108.0 +/- 4.5 km.wk-1), 9 moderate mileage runners (MR) (54.2 +/- 3.7 km.wk-1) and 10 sedentary controls (SC) of similar age (28.3 +/- 1.5 yr) were studied to evaluate the effects of volume of endurance training on reproductive function in male runners. Levels of reproductive, adrenal and thyroid hormones were measured during a 1-hr period of serial blood sampling (q20 min) and urinary excretion of 24-hr luteinizing hormone (uLH) was determined on two separate days. Semen exams and sperm penetration of standard cervical mucus (Penetrak) were performed 2-5 times. Levels of total testosterone (TT) and free testosterone (FT) were significantly lower in HR (15.3 +/- 1.3 nmol.l-1 and 60.2 +/- 5.1 pmol.l-1) compared to MR (21.4 +/- 1.6 nmol.l-1 and 86.0 +/- 6.1 pmol.l-1) and SC (19.5 +/- 0.9 nmol.l-1 and 75.9 +/- 3.6 pmol.l-1). No differences (p > 0.05) were found in uLH, serum LH, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and prolactin (PRL) among the three groups. No other hormonal differences (p > 0.05) were observed among the groups. Total motile sperm count and density were lower (p < 0.05) in HR than SC. Decreased (p < 0.0006) sperm motility and an increased (p < 0.004) population of immature sperm and round cells were observed in HR compared to MR and SC. Sperm penetration of bovine cervical mucus was also decreased (p < 0.024) in HR compared to SC. Volume of training, defined by km.wk-1 run, was significantly correlated to sperm motility, density and number of round cells.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

The effects of three different exercise modalities on markers of male reproduction in healthy subjects: a randomized controlled trial

“…We could not find any research papers that investigated the impact of HICT on male reproductive function; however, based on findings of reduced semen quality in long-distance runners and endurance cyclists, several studies have reported detrimental effects of strenuous exercise on male reproductive function (De Souza et al 1994, Miller et al 1997, Safarinejad et al 2009, Tartibian & Maleki 2012b, Maleki et al 2014, 2016b, Hajizadeh Maleki & Tartibian 2015. Increased percentages of TUNEL-positive spermatozoa were also observed in male road cyclists after intensive cycling training (Maleki et al 2016b).…”

“…Previous studies have reported that strenuous exercise in the form of long-distance running and endurance cycling may be deleterious for sperm production (De Souza et al 1994, Wise et al 2011, Tartibian & Maleki 2012b, Tartibian et al 2012, Maleki et al 2014, 2016b, Hajizadeh Maleki & Tartibian 2015. In this sense, several studies from the author's group demonstrated that exercise-induced changes in seminal markers of oxidative stress and proinflammatory cytokines were negatively correlated with semen quality parameters and sperm DNA integrity (Tartibian & Maleki 2012b, Maleki et al 2014, 2016b, Hajizadeh Maleki & Tartibian 2015.…”

Low energy availability in exercising men is associated with reduced leptin and insulin but not with changes in other metabolic hormones

“…Reproductive disorders such as reduced sperm motility and quality have also been reported in men participating in energetically expensive sports (De Souza et al, 1994;Lucia et al, 1996), but it remains questionable that the prevalence of reproductive disorders in energy deficient men is as high as that in energy deficient women. Because men have to invest less energy for reproductive purposes than women (Bronson, 1985), it is not surprising that the male reproductive system appears more robust against energy deficiency.…”

“…These health effects have been reported primarily in exercising women and have been captured under the term female athlete triad (De Souza et al, 2014;Nattiv et al, 2007). However, observational studies suggest that male athletes, particularly those competing in sports that emphasize leanness or a low body weight, demonstrate an increased propensity for disordered eating (Martinsen, Bratland-Sanda, Eriksson, & Sundgot-Borgen, 2010;Rosendahl, Bormann, Aschenbrenner, Aschenbrenner, & Strauss, 2009) and that reproductive function and bone health may also be impaired in exercising men at risk of chronic energy deficiency (Campion et al, 2010;De Souza, Arce, Pescatello, Scherzer, & Luciano, 1994;Dolan et al, 2012;Hagmar, Berglund, Brismar, & Hirschberg, 2013).…”

Relationship of chronic endurance exercise to the somatotropic and sex hormone status of older men

“…Several authors have reported lower concentrations of both total testosterone (17,18) and free testosterone (19,20) in young endurance-trained men compared with age-matched 'sedentary' controls, whereas others have observed no effect of endurance exercise on total testosterone concentrations (21,22). Even if habitual endurance activity were to improve IGF-I production, an exercise-dependent attenuation of gonadal function might negate any potential benefits of the former on body composition.…”