Physical exercise at high altitude is associated with a testicular dysfunction leading to reduced sperm concentration but healthy sperm quality

Pelliccione, Fiore; Verratti, Vittore; D’Angeli, Anatolia; Micillo, A.; Doria, Christian; Pezzella, Alfonso; Iacutone, Giovanni; Francavilla, Felice; Giulio, Camillo Di; Francavilla, Sandro

doi:10.1016/j.fertnstert.2011.03.111

Cited by 34 publications

(23 citation statements)

References 33 publications

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“…et al, 2014). Pelliccione et al (2011) reported that physical exercise at high altitude (5900 m) was associated with a testicular dysfunction. However, after a long recovery and adaptation in lower altitude areas, the semen quality could be gradually restored to the baseline level (Wan et al, 2012).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Exposure to Hypoxia at High Altitude (5380 m) for 1 Year Induces Reversible Effects on Semen Quality and Serum Reproductive Hormone Levels in Young Male Adults

Cui²,

Wang

et al. 2015

High Altitude Medicine & Biology

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This study investigated the effect of hypoxia at high altitude on the semen quality and the serum reproductive hormone levels in male adults. A total of 52 male soldiers were enrolled in this cohort study. They were exposed to hypoxia at high altitude (5380 m) for 12 months when undergoing a service. After exposure, they were followed up for 6 months. The samples of semen and peripheral blood were collected at 1 month before exposure (M0), 6 months of exposure (M6), 12 months of exposure (M12), and 6 months after exposure (M18). The semen quality was assessed with computer-assisted analysis system, and the serum levels of reproductive hormones, including prolactin (PRL), luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and testosterone were analyzed by ELISA. Compared with those at M0, total sperm count, sperm density, motility, survival rate, and serum levels of LH, PRL and testosterone were significantly decreased, whereas the liquefaction time was significantly prolonged and serum FSH level was significantly increased at M6 (p<0.05). At M12, total sperm count and sperm density increased, whereas sperm motility, survival rate, and the liquefaction time further decreased. Sperm velocities, progression ratios, and lateral head displacements were also decreased. Serum FSH level decreased while serum LH, PRL, and testosterone levels increased. Compared with those at M6, the changes in these detected parameters of semen and hormone at M12 were significant (p<0.05). At M18, all these detected parameters except testosterone level returned to levels comparable to those before exposure. In conclusion, hypoxia at high altitude causes adverse effects on semen quality and reproductive hormones, and these effects are reversible.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Exposure to Hypoxia at High Altitude (5380 m) for 1 Year Induces Reversible Effects on Semen Quality and Serum Reproductive Hormone Levels in Young Male Adults

Cui²,

Wang

et al. 2015

High Altitude Medicine & Biology

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“…Our study did not demonstrate any association between altitude and sperm count. An eff ect of altitude on sperm count and elevated serum testosterone levels has been demonstrated after acute exposition to 5 900 m [ 3 ] . It is probable that the kind of exposure to altitude may explain these diff erences.…”

Section: Progressive Sperm Motilitymentioning

confidence: 99%

Resistance of Sperm Motility to Serum Testosterone in Men with Excessive Erythrocytosis at High Altitude

et al. 2012

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Excessive erythrocytosis (EE) [hemoglobin (Hb) >21 g/dl] observed in natives at high altitude (HA) seems to be due to elevated serum testosterone levels compared with men without EE at HA. The aim of the study was to determine the association between serum testosterone levels and high hemoglobin levels at HA with sperm quality. The study was conducted with 72 adult men living at 4,340 m and 52 native men at sea level (SL). At HA, men were grouped according to hemoglobin value (group 1:16-21 g/dl or group 2: Hb >21 g/dl). Hemoglobin and serum testosterone levels were evaluated. Sperm concentration, percentage of progressive sperm motility, percentage of normal sperm morphology, and markers of seminal vesicles function (corrected seminal fructose) and of prostate function (seminal zinc levels) were calculated. Serum testosterone levels were significantly higher in the group with EE (p<0.001). Progressive sperm motility in men with EE was lower than in the other group (Hb >16-21 g/dl) and that of those at SL. Seminal pH, zinc levels and normal sperm morphology in men at HA were lower than at SL. At HA, a significant inverse relationship was observed between hemoglobin and progressive sperm motility (p<0.01). At SL, serum testosterone levels were directly related with progressive sperm motility, whereas at HA, no association was observed (p>0.05). No association between testosterone levels and corrected seminal fructose was observed in men with EE. In conclusion, low sperm motility was observed in men with EE despite elevated serum testosterone levels suggesting a resistance of sperm motility.

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“…Naturally, hypoxia is a condition present in altitude environments (Ward et al ., ). The hypoxic model, since the pioneering study of scientists such as Paul Bert (Bert, ) and Angelo Mosso (Mosso, ), from the mid‐nineteenth century to the present days, has used animal or human models exposed to high altitude in order to study the role of oxygen in different areas of physiology and pathology (Leke et al ., ; Pierson, ; Cameron et al ., ; Calbet, 2004; Giordano, ; Pack, ; Savransky, ; Verratti et al ., ; William et al ., ), in the ageing (Villa et al ., ) and in human fertility (Pelliccione et al ., ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 97%

“…On the other hand, the influence of high altitude on human fertility has been known for several centuries (Humpeler et al ., ; Okumura et al ., ), but today it is well known that chronic hypoxic exposure to altitude causes reversible fertility impairments, in nonadapted humans (Walton & Uruski, ; Donayre et al ., ; Okumura et al ., ; Verratti et al .,; Pelliccione et al ., ; Verratti & Di Giulio, ) and, at the same time, the absence of adverse effects on fertility in populations that settle permanently in regions of high altitude (Farias et al ., ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Sperm forward motility is negatively affected by short-term exposure to altitude hypoxia

et al. 2016

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Human exposure to altitude is a model to study the role of oxygen in different areas of physiology and pathophysiology. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether a short exposure to hypoxia (5 days) combined with exercise, at altitude ranging from 900 m above sea level to 5895 m above sea level (Kilimanjaro Expedition) can modify seminal and reproductive hormonal parameter levels in human beings. During the ascent, blood oxygen saturation at 3.848 m above sea level was found to be decreased when compared to sea level (P < 0.02). The sperm forward motility at sea level after the expedition showed a significant reduction (P < 0.02). There were no changes in other seminal parameters among those compared. Determination of the hormonal plasma concentrations showed that baseline values of follicle-stimulating hormone, total testosterone, prolactin and oestradiol were unchanged at sea level after the hypoxic experience, with respect to baseline values at sea level. On the other hand, luteinising hormone levels after altitudes trekking significantly increased compared to levels before the expedition (P < 0.05). Because of the short-term exposure, we can assume that the reduced forward motility described here may result from the effects of the acute altitude hypoxia on spermatozoa during the epididymal transit where they mature acquiring their motility.

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Physical exercise at high altitude is associated with a testicular dysfunction leading to reduced sperm concentration but healthy sperm quality

Cited by 34 publications

References 33 publications

Exposure to Hypoxia at High Altitude (5380 m) for 1 Year Induces Reversible Effects on Semen Quality and Serum Reproductive Hormone Levels in Young Male Adults

Exposure to Hypoxia at High Altitude (5380 m) for 1 Year Induces Reversible Effects on Semen Quality and Serum Reproductive Hormone Levels in Young Male Adults

Resistance of Sperm Motility to Serum Testosterone in Men with Excessive Erythrocytosis at High Altitude

Sperm forward motility is negatively affected by short-term exposure to altitude hypoxia

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