Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, Vol 74, 1176-1183, Copyright © 1992 by Endocrine Society

ARTICLES

Androgenic hormones during prolonged physical stress, sleep, and energy deficiency

PK Opstad
Norwegian Defence Research Establishment, Division for Environmental Toxicology, Kjeller.

Androgenic hormones were investigated during two separate 5-day military endurance training courses, with physical activities around the clock corresponding to a daily energy consumption of about 40,000 kilojoules, but with an intake of only 2,000 kilojoules. Altogether, the cadets slept for 1-3 h in the 5 days. Eleven male cadets participated in course I, and 10 in course II. Plasma levels of testosterone, free testosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone, 17 alpha- hydroxyprogesterone, and androstenedione decreased by 60-80% during the course. In contrast, plasma cortisol, aldosterone, progesterone, and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate increased. LH, FSH, and ACTH decreased to about 50-80% of precourse levels. Weak correlations between plasma levels of hypophyseal and levels of adrenal and testicular hormones indicate a multifactorial regulation. In conclusion, both adrenal and testicular androgens decrease during prolonged physical strain combined with energy and sleep deficiency.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				J. A. Alemany, B. C. Nindl, M. D. Kellogg, W. J. Tharion, A. J. Young, and S. J. Montain Effects of dietary protein content on IGF-I, testosterone, and body composition during 8 days of severe energy deficit and arduous physical activity J Appl Physiol, July 1, 2008; 105(1): 58 - 64. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				D. I. Spratt, R. S. Kramer, J. R. Morton, F. L. Lucas, K. Becker, and C. Longcope Characterization of a prospective human model for study of the reproductive hormone responses to major illness Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab, July 1, 2008; 295(1): E63 - E69. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				R. W Hoyt, P. K. Opstad, A.-H. Haugen, J. P DeLany, A. Cymerman, and K. E Friedl Negative energy balance in male and female rangers: effects of 7 d of sustained exercise and food deprivation Am. J. Clinical Nutrition, May 1, 2006; 83(5): 1068 - 1075. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. M. Kaufman and A. Vermeulen The Decline of Androgen Levels in Elderly Men and Its Clinical and Therapeutic Implications Endocr. Rev., October 1, 2005; 26(6): 833 - 876. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				K. E. Friedl, R. J. Moore, R. W. Hoyt, L. J. Marchitelli, L. E. Martinez-Lopez, and E. W. Askew Endocrine markers of semistarvation in healthy lean men in a multistressor environment J Appl Physiol, May 1, 2000; 88(5): 1820 - 1830. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				R. T. Chatterton Jr. and S. L. Dooley Reversal of Diurnal Cortisol Rhythm and Suppression of Plasma Testosterone in Obstetric Residents on Call Reproductive Sciences, January 1, 1999; 6(1): 50 - 54. [Abstract] [PDF]

				D Forman, M C Pike, G Davey, S Dawson, K Baker, C E D Chilvers, R T D Oliver, and C A C Coupland Aetiology of testicular cancer: association with congenital abnormalities, age at puberty, infertility, and exercise BMJ, May 28, 1994; 308(6941): 1393 - 1399. [Abstract] [Full Text]