Corticotropin releasing hormone and gonadotropin secretion in physically active males after acute exercise

Abstract

Plasma concentrations of corticotropin releasing hormone (CRH) and the serum concentrations of luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), testosterone, adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and cortisol were measured in seven physically active males after acute exercise on a treadmill using the Bruce protocol. Measurements were made in the basal pre-exercise state, immediately after exercise, and at 30-min intervals for 3 h after exercise. Serum LH concentrations declined following exercise reaching nadir values between 60 and 180 min after exercise (90 min post exercise in the group). The nadir values in individual volunteers were significantly lower than both the baseline and post-exercise levels. This fall in serum LH concentration appeared to follow a slight but significant elevation of the plasma concentration of CRH which reached peak levels when measured immediately post exercise. Plasma ACTH concentrations paralleled the rise in CRH, but fell to undetectable levels of below 13.8 nmol.l-1 (less than 5 ng.l-1) 60 min after exercise. Plasma cortisol concentrations peaked approximately 30 min after the rise in ACTH, after which they gradually declined to baseline levels. Plasma testosterone concentrations paralleled the concentrations of LH. The data suggest that CRH, on the basis of its previously described gonadotropin-depressant property, may be the hormone involved in the exercise-mediated decline in serum LH. Alternatively, some as yet unidentified factor(s), may be involved in producing the altered concentrations of both LH and CRH.

Hormonal responses to physical training in high-level peripubertal male gymnasts

“…In part support of this notion, the heart rates of the gymnasts in the present study only transiently exceeded the aerobic training threshold of approximately 160 beats á min A1 cited for prepubertal children (Shephard 1992). Although anaerobic exercise has also been shown to be a potent stimulus for eliciting an increase in cortisol concentrations (Buono et al 1986;Elias et al 1991), it appears that the intermittent short-duration bouts of exercise associated with the present training regime were not of sucient intensity to elicit a large morning adrenocortical response in the male gymnasts, despite daily training sessions exceeding 3 h. The apparent lack of response may also be attributed to the fact that the diurnal variation in morning serum cortisol concentrations is much more pronounced than that in the afternoon (Hakkinen et al 1988), which may have masked any exercise-induced alterations that had occurred. In addition, it has been suggested that cortisol levels may actually decrease following low-intensity physical activity (less than 50% of maximal oxygen uptake), presumably due to increased removal from the circulation or decreased adrenocortical activity (Viru 1985).…”

The effect of environmental temperature on testosterone and cortisol responses to high Intensity, intermittent exercise in humans

“…The cortisol responses seen during this study were surprising, considering that anaerobic exercise has generally been considered to be a potent stimulus for eliciting an increase in cortisol concentrations (Buono et al 1986;Elias et al 1991;Farrell et al 1983;Kindermann et al 1982). An elevation in cortisol concentration has generally been seen immediately following longer duration (more than 10 min), high intensity exercise (Elias et al 1991;Farrell et al 1983).…”

“…An elevation in cortisol concentration has generally been seen immediately following longer duration (more than 10 min), high intensity exercise (Elias et al 1991;Farrell et al 1983). During intense exercise of shorter duration (2 min), it has been found that cortisol concentrations do not appear to increase immediately postexercise but rather, may increase 15 min following exercise (Buono et al 1986;Kindermann et al 1982).…”

Effects of Blood pH and Blood Lactate on Growth Hormone, Prolactin, and Gonadotropin Release after Acute Exercise in Male Volunteers

“…This is particularly true of GH, PRL, and pro-opiomelanocortin-derived peptides such as ACTH, P-endorphin, and P-lipotropin (1- 7,9,11,19,20). Other hormones such as the gonadotropins, particularly LH.…”