ESPE Abstracts

Objective: To investigate the association of the gonadal axis with pro- and anti- oxidation, in relation to obesity and pubertal status in boys, before and after a stimulatory exercise bout.

Design: Cross-sectional human experimental study.

Methods: Ninty-two healthy normal-weight and obese pre- and early- pubertal boys, participated in this study. All subjects underwent a baseline blood sampling followed by an aerobic exercise bout until exhaustion at 70% VO2max, with a subsequent blood sampling at the end of exercise. LH, FSH, testosterone and markers of pro- (TBARS and PCs) and anti- (GSH, GSSG, GPX, catalase, TAC) oxidation were measured.

Results: Baseline and post-exercise LH and FSH concentrations did not differ between obese and normal weight both in pre- and in early- pubertal boys. Baseline and post-exercise testosterone concentrations were lower in obese than in normal-weight early pubertal boys. Baseline LH, FSH and testosterone concentrations were greater in early pubertal than in pre-pubertal boys independently of the weight status. Following an acute bout of aerobic exercise, LH concentrations decreased in early pubertal subjects. Baseline and post-exercise FSH concentrations were similar in pre- and early puberty in normal-weight and obese boys. Testosterone concentrations increased following exercise only in early pubertal obese subjects in contrast of the LH decrease. In pre-pubertal boys, baseline LH, FSH and testosterone correlated with baseline anti-oxidation markers concentrations. In pre-pubertal normal-weight and obese boys, baseline LH correlated positively with the increase of TAC, while in early pubertal normal-weight boys baseline testosterone positively correlated with the increase of TAC. In all studied subjects baseline LH concentrations were the best positive predictors for the exercise-associated increase of the anti-oxidation marker TAC. Baseline BMI z-score was the best positive predictor for the post-exercise PCs concentrations. Baseline waist to height ratio was the best negative predictor for the post-exercise GPX concentrations.

Conclusions: Antioxidation is positively associated with gonadotropin and testosterone concentrations, while this association is stronger regarding the LH testosterone components of the HPG axis.