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Endurance Training Decreases Serum Testosterone Levels in Men without Change in Luteinizing Hormone Pulsatile Release^*

GARRY D. WHEELER, MOHAN SINGH, W. DAVID PIERCE, W. FRANK EPLING and DAVID C. CUMMING

Departments of Physical Education (G.D.W., MM.), Sociology (W.D.P.), Psychology (W.F.E.), Obstetrics Gynecology (D.C.C.), and Medicine (Division of Endocrinology) (D.C.C.), University of Alberta Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Address all correspondence and requests for reprints to: Dr. David C. Cumming, 1D1 West Mackenzie HSC, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada T6G 2R7.

Cross-sectional studies have suggested that total and bioavailable testosterone levels are reduced in some male athletes. Such changes may be related to loss of body weight, increased serum cortisol, and/or alterations in LH pulsatile release. To determine how endurance training may affect androgen levels, we measured serum total testosterone, sex hormonebinding globulin, free androgen index, LH, FSH, PRL, cortisol, and weight in 15 previously sedentary males. We also examined pulsatile LH release in a subset of 5 subjects. Over 6 months of training, the men increased weekly running mileage to an average of 56 km/week. Total testosterone and free androgen index levels decreased significantly. PRL and cortisol also decreased, while single sample LH and FSH remained unchanged. There was a significant reduction in weight, which did not correlate with changes in serum testosterone levels. LH pulsatile release was not altered by training in the subset of 5 runners. These data confirm previous findings of physiological reduction in serum testosterone and PRL levels and suggest that the testosterone decrease is not related to changes in LH pulsatile release, weight, or increased serum conisol levels.

^* This work was supported by Central Research Fund, University of Alberta, and the University of Alberta Hospitals Special Services and Research Fund.

Supported by an Alberta Heritage Foundation for Medical Research graduate student award.

Received June 12, 1990.

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