Abstract

Basal levels of LH, FSH, PRL and T, as well as LH, FSH and PRL responses to an iv bolus of GnRH (0.1 mg) plus TRH (0.2 mg), were measured in each of 10 trained non-professional soccer players. The endocrine evaluation was performed before beginning of the seasonal training (after 30 days rest), and repeated on 2 consecutive days at the end of a 3 months regular training program, 14-15 h from the end of both a customary 3 h training session and a 90 min strenuous soccer match. In 5 out of the 10 athletes a semen analysis was performed after each endocrine evaluation. 10 age-matched, healthy, sedentary men served as control group. Basal serum levels of LH, FSH, PRL and T measured before the start of training were similar to those found in controls. The relative maximum responses (RMRs) of FSH and PRL to GnRH-TRH (peak values/basal values) were also similar in athletes and controls, whereas the LH RMR was significantly lower in the former group. A 3 h training session, after 3 months of regular training, did not affect sign. basal hormone values as well as the RMRs of LH and PRL. In contrast, in response to the soccer match, a sign. rise in basal T and PRL concentrations was observed. There were no sign. changes, however, in circulating LH and FSH. The LH RMR rose sign. from resting values but remained lower than that of controls. The FSH RMR was not sign. affected, whereas PRL RMR showed a sign. decrease in comparison to resting and to control values. As to the semen analysis, sperm motility was lower in athletes. Verf.-Ref. (gekuerzt)