Stress from exercise in the below sea level environment causes an increasein serum testosterone levels in trained athletes

A comparative study (n = 20) of serum levels of leutinizing hormone (LH) an d testosterone (T) between male trained athletes (high-shool students, 16-1 8 years old) living in North and South Shouna in the Jordan Valley (JV), 32 0-360 meters below sea level, and those living in Ramtha and Irbid, 550-650 meters above sea level, was conducted in November, 1999. Serum levels of L H and T were also measured in these athletes following a 20 Km noncompetiti ve run. The air temperatures on the day of the experiment was comparable (2 5 degreesC in North and South Shouna versus 23 degreesC in Ramtha and Irbid ). Before exercise, serum levels of LH and T in athletes of the below sea l evel environment (North and South Shouna) were similar to those levels in a thletes of the above sea level environment (Ramtha and Irbid). Exercise cau sed a significant increase in serum levels of both LH and T only in athlete s of North and South Shouna. It seems likely that the higher secretion of L H contributes, at least in part, for the higher serum levels of T following exercise. Taken together, these data suggest that exercise has an effect o n LH and T secretion that is similar to that of fasting. And finally, the b elow sea level environmental factors, such as the high barometric pressure, as well as the genetic background of the athletes affect the pituitary and adrenal cortex as well as testicular tissue, resulting in the secretion of more LH and T.