Impact of Prolonged High Altitude Exposure on Plasma Prolactin in Men: Effect of Age and Ethnicity

Levels of Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH), Luteinizing Hormone (LH), Testosterone and Prolactin at Moderate Altitude Inhabitant Male

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Male fertility depends on the availability of the potent androgen called testosterone. Testosterone production is regulated by the hypothalamic anterior pituitary axis. Two anterior pituitary hormones Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) and Luteinizing Hormone (LH) are involved in spermatogenesis and testosterone production, respectively. Hypoxia, resulting from high altitude, may induce a change in these four hormones and may affect male fertility. This study was done to evaluate and compare the changes that occur in FSH, LH, testosterone and prolactin in males lived in moderate versus low altitude.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This study was conducted on 300 individuals who were categorized based on the altitude of their habitat into two equal groups, namely: Inhabitants at moderate altitudes and inhabitants at low altitudes. A venous blood sample was collected from each individual to measure the levels of FSH, LH and prolactin.

RESULTS

Both LH and testosterone levels were significantly lower in high altitude inhabitants compared with low altitude inhabitants (p<0.01). The FSH level showed a significant statistical difference between two groups with a lower level in individuals living at high altitudes compared with low altitude inhabitants but on a value (p<0.05).

CONCLUSION

Moderate altitude hypoxia suppresses LH, FSH and testosterone levels as much as high altitude hypoxia does and these changes may depend on prolactin level.