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The Male Reproductive System, Exercise, and Training: Endocrine Adaptations

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Endocrinology of Physical Activity and Sport

Part of the book series: Contemporary Endocrinology ((COE))

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Abstract

The male gonadal axis function is strongly affected by physical exercise. The purpose of this chapter is to illustrate the physiologic and pathologic changes that occur in the male gonadal axis secondary to exercise and training. In males, testosterone (TEST) increases with acute bouts of exercise, but long-term effects of chronic exercise training are less clear, with evidence of lower testosterone in endurance athletes. Restricted energy availability may negatively affect hormone levels in endurance athletes, although data regarding low energy availability and its impact on the gonadal axis are limited in male athletes. Chronic exercise training may induce a state of oligospermia, a reduction of the total number of motile sperm and an increase in abnormal or immature spermatozoa. Alterations in the hormonal milieu but also the oxidative stress associated with endurance exercise may be involved. It has been demonstrated that among subjects engaged in chronic exercise training, a selected group of men develop alterations in their reproductive hormonal profile; i.e., persistently low basal resting testosterone concentrations. This condition has been labeled as “the exercise-hypogonadal male” and involves health consequences such as an increased risk of abnormal spermatogenesis, infertility problems, and compromised bone mineralization.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. AOU Citta della Salute e della Scienza di Torino, Division of Endocrinology, Diabetology and Metabolism, University of Turin, Department of Medical Sciences, Turin, Italy

    Fabio Lanfranco

  2. Division of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Department of Surgical Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy

    Marco Alessandro Minetto

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Correspondence to Fabio Lanfranco .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Exercise & Sport Science, Department of Nutrition, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA

    Anthony C. Hackney

  2. Heidi Rothberg Sport Medicine Center, Shaare Zedek Medical Center, Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel

    Naama W. Constantini

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Lanfranco, F., Minetto, M.A. (2020). The Male Reproductive System, Exercise, and Training: Endocrine Adaptations. In: Hackney, A., Constantini, N. (eds) Endocrinology of Physical Activity and Sport. Contemporary Endocrinology. Humana, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-33376-8_7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-33376-8_7

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  • Print ISBN: 978-3-030-33375-1

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-030-33376-8

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

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