Effects of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces training programme on body consumption and reproductive hormones in male army recruits

Sewani-Rusike, Constance R; Mudambo, K.S.M.T.; Tendaupenyu, G.; Dzuda, C.; Tafirenyika, A.; Zenda, E.

doi:10.4314/cajm.v46i2.8519

Cited by 6 publications

(13 citation statements)

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“…This finding contrasts previous reports of the effects of arduous military training (Opstad, 1992;Sewani-Rusike et al, 2000;Friedl et al, 2008). This was associated with a modest increase in FSH and LH.…”

Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 99%

“…Physically and psychologically demanding combat training over 3-4 weeks induced a decrease in testosterone (Gomez-Merino et al, 2003) with reductions in total and free testosterone of 49-60% evident within 4 days of training commencing (Alemany et al, 2008). When measures of energy balance and nutritional status were included in such studies, it has frequently been reported that an energy deficit was associated with reductions in body mass, fat free mass and body fat (Guezennec et al, 1994;Sewani-Rusike et al, 2000;Nindl et al, 2007;Alemany et al, 2008). It would appear that the development of transitory central hypogonadism, probably as a result of reduced hypothalamic gonadotrophin releasing hormone secretion, is a typical response to the marked physical stress seen in military personnel.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The gonadotrophic response of Royal Marines during an operational deployment in Afghanistan

Hill

Woods

Delves³

et al. 2015

Andrology

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Military training has been associated with changes in the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis consistent with central hypogonadism. Often such changes have been associated with body mass loss, though sleep deprivation and other psychological stress may also contribute. The effects of deployment in a combat zone on the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis in military personnel are not known. The objective was to investigate the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis in male military personnel deployed in Afghanistan. Eighty-nine Royal Marines were investigated pre-deployment, following 3 months in Afghanistan and following 2 weeks mid-tour leave. Testosterone, sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinising hormone (LH), 17-hydroxyprogesterone, androstenedione (AD) and insulin were assayed and body mass recorded. The results showed that body mass (kg) dropped from 83.2 ± 9.2 to 79.2 ± 8.2 kg during the first 3 months of deployment (p < 0.001). Total testosterone did not change, but SHBG increased (30.7 ± 9.7 vs. 42.3 ± 14.1 nmol/L, p < 0.001), resulting in a significant (p < 0.001) fall in calculated free testosterone (435.2 ± 138 vs. 375.1 ± 98 pmol/L). Luteinising hormone and FSH increased by 14.3% (p < 0.001) and 4.9% (p = 0.003) respectively. Free testosterone, SHBG, LH and FSH returned to baseline following 2 weeks of mid-tour leave. Androstenedione (AD) decreased by 14.5% (p = 0.024), and insulin decreased by 26% (p = 0.039), over the course of deployment. In this study of lean Royal Marines, free testosterone decreased during operational deployment to Afghanistan. There was no evidence to suggest major stress-induced central hypogonadism. We postulate that reduced body mass, accompanied by a decrease in insulin and AD synthesis, may have contributed to an elevated SHBG, leading to a decrease in free testosterone.

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Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The gonadotrophic response of Royal Marines during an operational deployment in Afghanistan

Hill

Woods

Delves³

et al. 2015

Andrology

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“…Similarly, arduous physical training may also affect the hypothalamicpituitary-testicular axis (Gomez-Merino et al 2003, Alemany et al 2008, with testosterone reported to decrease by 50-60% during United States Ranger and Marine training (Friedl et al 2000, Alemany et al 2008. The decrease in testosterone is usually associated with a concomitant decrease in luteinising hormone (LH) and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), reflecting the development of central hypogonadism (Friedl et al 2000, Sewani-Rusike et al 2000. This is most likely due to reduced hypothalamic Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) secretion.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…This is most likely due to reduced hypothalamic Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) secretion. When measures of energy balance and nutritional status were included in such studies, a significant energy deficit with reductions in body mass, fat free mass and body fat were frequently reported (Guezennec et al 1994, Sewani-Rusike et al 2000, Nindl et al 2007, Alemany et al 2008). …”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Nutritional status and the gonadotrophic response to a polar expedition

Woods

Delves²,

Britland³

et al. 2015

Appl. Physiol. Nutr. Metab.

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Polar expeditions have been associated with changes in the hypothalamic-pituitarytesticular axis consistent with central hypogonadism (i.e. decreased testosterone, luteinising hormone [LH] and follicle stimulating hormone [FSH]). These changes are typically associated with body mass loss. Our aim was to evaluate whether maintenance of body mass during a Polar expedition could mitigate against the development of central hypogonadism. Maintenance of body mass and nutritional status appeared to negate the central hypogonadism previously reported from Polar expeditions. The elevated TSH and free T3were consistent with a previously reported "Polar T3 syndrome".

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“…However, it is important to highlight that in the military setting the clinician should remain alert to the relatively common causes of secondary hypogonadism that will be seen such as that associated with chronic pain, opiate use, head trauma or extreme exercise, stress or weight changes. In addition, it is also appreciated that functional temporary hypothalamic hypogonadism may occur in relation to acute/chronic disease/stress, including situations such as military training 2. It is highly pertinent to the military setting that the reduction in testosterone that may occur during acute severe illness means a diagnosis should not usually be made in that setting.…”

Section: How To Make a Diagnosis Of Hypogonadismmentioning

confidence: 99%

Managing endocrine dysfunction following blast injury to the male external genitalia

Woods¹,

Phillip²,

Quinton

2013

J R Army Med Corps

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Blast injury to the external genitalia is associated with considerable morbidity, including the risk of primary hypogonadism due to insufficient testosterone. It is of the utmost importance that, prior to any testosterone replacement being commenced, serious consideration is given to sperm retrieval. The clinical and biochemical picture of hypogonadism allows a relatively straightforward diagnosis in most cases although it is important to be alert to the possibility of hypogonadism in the context of partial testicular tissue preservation. It is also prudent to consider the possibility of secondary hypogonadism especially in patients with chronic pain or those on opiate medication. Therapeutic options for testosterone replacement are diverse but relatively simple. This article aims to give guidance to the non-specialist in the consideration, diagnosis, and treatment of hypogonadism, with particular reference to blast injury of the external genitalia.

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Effects of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces training programme on body consumption and reproductive hormones in male army recruits

Cited by 6 publications

References 0 publications

The gonadotrophic response of Royal Marines during an operational deployment in Afghanistan

The gonadotrophic response of Royal Marines during an operational deployment in Afghanistan

Nutritional status and the gonadotrophic response to a polar expedition

Managing endocrine dysfunction following blast injury to the male external genitalia

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