Pulsatile Secretion of Gonadotropins and Prolactin in Male Marathon Runners. Relation to the Endogenous Opiate System

Abstract

those of normal sedentary controls; 2) seaetion of PRL basally and in response to opiate-receptor blockade is not significantly perturbed; and 3) LH release in male athletes appears to be under tonlc inhibitory control by endogenous opiate systems, but the inhibitory influence of these opiates is not markedly exerled.

The Effects of Acute Exercise on Pulsatile Lh Release in High‐mileage Male Runners

“…The published evidence conderning pulsatile LH release in men is conflicting. Basal pulsatile LH release is reported to be similar to normal in runners with a training volume of approximately 80 km per week (Rogol et al, 1984) and decreased in runners with a much higher (125-200 km) weekly training mileage in whom serum testosterone levels were observed to be normal (MacConnie et al, 1986). In the latter study, there was no significant effect of acute exercise on pulsatile LH release.…”

The Impact of an Ultramarathon on Hormonal and Biochemical Parameters in Men

“…15 The impact of prolonged endurance events on luteinizing hormone (LH), the main regulator of testosterone, is less consistent. Concentrations of LH are either decreased 12,14 or remain constant [15][16][17] after prolonged endurance events, an effect potentially related to the pulsatile nature of LH and the highly individual response to the exercise stress. In addition, prolonged strenuous exercise decreases sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), 14,18 the primary carrier of testosterone.…”

Physical Activity and Control of the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Gonadal Axis

“…111 To date evidence of alterations in LH pulsatile release in male runners is conflicting, with evidence in support 118 and against. 119 LH pulse frequency was not altered in runners following a submaximal treadmill run. 118 No evidence has supported increased opioidergic tone as being important in the suppression of the reproductive axis in male athletes, 119,120 and the effects of catecholamines have received little attention.…”