title: Physical exercise at high altitude is associated with a testicular dysfunction leading to reduced sperm concentration but healthy sperm quality.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To explore the effect of physical exercise at high altitudes (HA) on male reproductive system.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Andrology Clinic, University of L'Aquila, Italy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Seven male mountaineers involved in an expedition at 5,900 m.
  
  
  METHODS
  Semen analysis, sperm DNA fragmentation with flow cytometry, and reproductive hormone levels.
  
  
  METHODS
  Hormone levels were evaluated at sea level (SL) at baseline (SL-pre), after 22 days of exercise at HA (intermediate), and after 10 days upon reaching SL (SL-post). Sperm parameters, percentage of sperm with fragmented DNA, and body composition measures were evaluated at SL-pre and at SL-post.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A reduction of sperm concentration, of body mass index (BMI), of waist circumference, and of percentage of body fat was observed at SL-post compared with SL-pre values. Increased levels of FSH and PRL were observed at the intermediate point, and normalized at SL-post, whereas T was higher at SL-post compared with SL-pre levels.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Physical exercise at HA is associated with a testicular dysfunction leading to a reduced sperm concentration probably through an altered spermiation. The improved body composition after physical exercise might explain the higher T levels observed after the expedition.
authors.affiliation: Andrology Unit, Department of Internal Medicine, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy.
authors.forename: Fiore
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Pelliccione
authors.forename: Vittore
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Verratti
authors.forename: Anatolia
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: D'Angeli
authors.forename: Alessandro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Micillo
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Doria
authors.forename: Alfonso
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pezzella
authors.forename: Giovanni
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Iacutone
authors.forename: Felice
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Francavilla
authors.forename: Camillo
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Di Giulio
authors.forename: Sandro
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Francavilla
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000531:Altitude; D001823:Body Composition / Q000502:physiology; D053938:DNA Fragmentation; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009051:Mountaineering / Q000502:physiology*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013076:Sperm Count / Q000379:methods; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000473:pathology / Q000502:physiology*; D013733:Testicular Diseases / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D055815:Young Adult