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

Abstract

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.

Analysis of seminal plasma from brown bear (Ursus arctos) during the breeding season: Its relationship with testosterone levels

“…Several authors have described the relationship between SP and spermatozoa motility, viability and the maintenance of fertilizing capacity [5,6], as well as the influence of SP on the female genital tract and ovum fertilization [5,7,8]. In the present study, sperm motility was similar between males with high or low testosterone, thus the serum testosterone level does not present a positive correlation with sperm motility which has been demonstrated by other authors [39]; however Gonzales et al [40] also found that sperm motility were not related with serum testosterone levels in men living at high altitudes and these authors suggest that a resistance to the testosterone action could be occurring within the reproductive tract level.…”

Higher androgen bioactivity is associated with excessive erythrocytosis and chronic mountain sickness in Andean Highlanders: a review

“…Low sperm motility was observed in men with EE despite elevated serum T levels, suggesting a resistance of sperm motility to T action (Gonzales et al ., ). This is an interesting finding, as it suggests a partial resistance to male reproductive tract.…”

“…Significantly decreased sperm motility has been related with a longer CAG repeats in the androgen receptor (Delli Muti et al ., ) and this suggest that low sperm motility is associated with low androgen activity. Sperm motility is related with serum T levels (Gonzales et al ., ). Then, it would be expected that men with short AR(CAG)n repeats have better sperm motility at HA.…”

“…These results suggest high aromatase activity and low androgenic activity. At HA, we have observed the opposite, low oestrogen levels with high serum T levels in EE (Gonzales et al ., ,b), suggesting the presence of short androgen receptor CAG repeats.…”

Contaminación ambiental, variabilidad climática y cambio climático: una revisión del impacto en la salud de la población peruana

“…Igualmente, dos estudios comparativos entre sujetos varones adultos de Lima y Cerro de Pasco muestran mayores niveles de plomo en sangre en varones de la ciudad de Cerro de Pasco, distribuidos entre mineros y no mineros (56,57) .…”