title: Sperm DNA fragmentation as a result of ultra-endurance exercise training in male athletes.
abstract: Intensive sports practice seems to exert negative effects on semen parameters; in order to assess these effects, the objective of this study was to assess semen, including DNA fragmentation, and hormone parameters in elite triathletes. Twelve high-level triathletes preparing for a National Triathlon Championship participated in the study. The qualitative sperm parameters analysed were volume, sperm count, motility, morphology and DNA fragmentation; when needed, additional testing was performed. Assessed hormones were testosterone (T), cortisol (C) and testosterone-cortisol ratio (T/C). Maximum oxygen consumption and training characteristics were also assessed. Hormonal values and physical semen parameters were within normal ranges. DNA fragmentation showed high values (20.4 ± 6.1%). Round cells in semen were higher than normal (2.8 ± 1.5 million/ml), with the presence of macrophages. Correlations were found for several parameters: concentration of round cells positively correlated with progressive sperm motility (p = .01) and sperm morphology (p = .02); contrarily, the correlation found with DNA fragmentation was negative (p = .04). Sperm DNA fragmentation and the T/C ratio, however, were correlated in a positive manner (p = .03). As evidenced by the observed results, sperm DNA fragmentation is affected by high-level sports practice; therefore, high loads of endurance training could potentially interfere with the athlete's fertility potential.
authors.affiliation: Morphological Sciences Department, School of Medicine, University of Cordoba, Cordoba, Spain.|International Network on Physical Exercise and Fertility (INPEF), Cordoba, Spain.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Vaamonde
authors.affiliation: Morphological Sciences Department, School of Medicine, University of Cordoba, Cordoba, Spain.|Nutrir. Nutrición Médica y Ejercicio, Cordoba, Spain.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Algar-Santacruz
authors.affiliation: Institute for Memory Impairments and Neurological Disorders (MIND Institute) University of California, Irvine.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Abbasi
authors.affiliation: International Network on Physical Exercise and Fertility (INPEF), Cordoba, Spain.|Physical Education Department, School of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences, University of Las Palmas de Gran Canarias, Las Palmas, Spain.
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: García-Manso
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D056352:Athletes; D053938:DNA Fragmentation; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D064797:Physical Conditioning, Human / Q000502:physiology*; D010807:Physical Endurance / Q000235:genetics*; D055101:Semen Analysis; D013076:Sperm Count; D013081:Sperm Motility / Q000502:physiology; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000378:metabolism*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: endurance training; hormones; macrophages; semen; triathlon