Effects of running a marathon on irisin concentration in men aged over 50.

Our aim was to verify whether running a marathon is associated with changes in irisin concentration in healthy, endurance-trained men. In an observational study, we assessed baseline biochemical and fitness parameters of 28 middle-aged runners (mean ± SD age, BMI, VO: 58 ± 8 years; 24.5 ± 3 kg/m; 51.

The Central Effects of Androgenic-anabolic Steroid Use.

: Millions of men use androgenic-anabolic steroids (AAS) to stimulate muscle growth and improve physical appearance. Although 1 out of 3 people who uses androgenic-anabolic steroids develops a steroid use disorder, the effects of the drugs on the central nervous system and the psyche are still not well understood. Although most addictive substances improve mood immediately after administration, AAS exert less pronounced euphoric effects.

The quality of semen among a sample of young, healthy men from Lower Silesia (AndroLS).

Introduction: Contrary to other parts of the continent, little information is available regarding semen quality among subjects from central and eastern Europe.

Material And Methods: We evaluated semen profiles among a sample of men from an industrialised region of Poland. We directly invited 5000 healthy inhabitants of the region (aged 18-35 years; with unchecked fecundity) to participate in the study.

Trends in the prevalence of autoimmune thyroiditis in the leading private health-care provider in Poland.

Background: Autoimmune thyroiditis (AT) is one of the most common endocrine disorders affecting a significant percent of the population, especially women. It may have serious and long-lasting consequences. The etiology of AT is multifactorial and it arises from an interplas between environmental and genetic factors.

Associations between physical activity and semen quality in young healthy men.

Objective: To evaluate whether the level of everyday physical activity is associated with semen quality in young men.

Design: Cross-sectional study.

Setting: Universities, clubs, and societies.

The Impact of Intense Exercise on Semen Quality.

With expanding knowledge on the health benefits of exercise, there is an increasing demand for information on the andrological consequences of participating in sports. These consequences are especially important in the context of infertility problems worldwide. The so-called "male factor" is reported in up to 50% of couples having trouble with conception.

Treatment with statins and testosterone levels in men.

Introduction: Statins belong to the most commonly used medicines worldwide. They affect cholesterol synthesis and thus they may suppress steroidogenesis. Our aim was to evaluate whether the use of statins is associated with the concentration of sex hormones.

The impact of freediving on psychomotor performance and blood catecholamine concentration.

The aim of the study was to investigate the effects of breath-hold diving on divers' psychomotor performance and blood adrenaline, noradrenaline and lactate concentrations. Four male divers took part in the experiment. During the study the divers' choice reaction time as well as plasma concentration of adrenaline, noradrenaline and lactate were measured.

Associations between the lower esophageal sphincter function and the level of physical activity.

Background: Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a very frequent and multifactorial disease. It has been found that GERD is associated with obesity, smoking, esophagitis, diet and lifestyle. Physical activity is among the factors involved in the occurrence of GERD.

Polymorphic variants of neurotransmitter receptor genes may affect sexual function in aging males: data from the HALS study.

Background/aims: Human behavior is influenced by a number of brain neurotransmitters. Central dopamine, serotonin and melanocortin systems have special importance for male sexual function. We searched for associations between male aging symptoms and polymorphic sites of serotonin (5-HTR1B), melanocortin (MC4R) and dopamine (DRD2, DRD4) receptors.

DRD2 C313T and DRD4 48-bp VNTR polymorphisms and physical activity of healthy men in Lower Silesia, Poland (HALS study).

Background: Both animal and human studies have proved that the dopaminergic system of the brain controls many aspects of behavior, e.g. motivation, addiction, motor movement, locomotion.

Effect of breath-hold diving (freediving) on serum androgen levels -- a preliminary report.

Introduction: Breath-hold diving (freediving) is a discipline that makes considerable demands on sportsmen, which can amount to extreme distress. It is also known that psychological and physical strain affects hormonal milieus. We wanted to assess the impact of a stressful event (such as breath-hold diving) on the androgen status of men.

Psychological stress and the function of male gonads.

Stress is generally a natural phenomenon that affects behaviour, physiological processes, and neuroendocrine, neurochemical, neurological and immune responses. Many somatic and mental disorders are thought to result from chronic stress. Stress-induced gonadal dysfunction is not restricted to humans, but is observed in all higher animals.

Occupational exposure to impulse noise associated with shooting.

Shooting training is associated with exposure to a considerable amount of unique noise. We wanted to evaluate noise exposure during such training. Our observations especially apply to professional sport shooters, but they are also valid for shooting coaches/instructors.

Inhibin B and FSH as markers of Sertoli cell function in impaired spermatogenesis.

Introduction: The relationships between inhibin B, FSH and sperm count have never been fully elucidated. Our aim was to search for associations between serum concentrations of inhibin B/FSH and the impairment of spermatogenesis.

Material And Methods: In an observational study, we compared sperm count, serum levels of inhibin B and FSH in men with oligozoospermia (n = 46) and in normozoospermic, fertile controls (n = 38).

Melanocortin-4 receptor gene polymorphism and the level of physical activity in men (HALS Study).

Melanocortin plays an important role in the energy balance in humans. Actions of melanocortin are exerted through activation of five receptors among which the melanocortin-4 receptor (MC4R) is especially abundant within the central nervous system (CNS). It has been proved that genetic variations of the MC4R gene are associated with the energy intake.

Transsexualism--diagnostic and therapeutic aspects.

Gender identity disorder (GID, transsexualism) is a multidisciplinary problem of an unclear aetiology. Although the diagnosis of GID is generally established by psychiatrists, the diagnostic team always includes an endocrinologist, who is responsible for hormonal therapy. Hormonal therapy is the first step in the sex reassignment procedure and requires careful monitoring in the initial phase and in later years of treatment.

[Transsexualism--diagnostic and therapeutic aspects].

Gender identity disorder (GID, transsexualism) is a multidisciplinary problem of an unclear aetiology. Although the diagnosis of GID is generally established by psychiatrists, the diagnostic team always includes an endocrinologist, who is responsible for hormonal therapy. Hormonal therapy is the first step in the sex reassignment procedure and requires careful monitoring in the initial phase and in later years of treatment.

[Growth hormone and IGF-1 as doping agents in competitive sport].

Growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) are often used by athletes as doping agents. It is estimated that up to 25% of sportsmen using anabolic-androgenic steroids also take GH. Available data do not confirm the influence of GH or IGF-1 preparations on physical performance improvement.

[Use of testosterone and anabolic androgenic steroids in sport].

Anabolic androgenic steroids (AAS) and testosterone are the most frequently detected prohibited doping agents in sport. Professional competitors have been taking them since the fifties of the 20th century, they are used at present mainly by sport amateurs. Anabolic Androgenic Steroids are very often used in combination with other doping agents (erythropoietin, growth hormone, thyroxin).

[The CAG repeat polymorphism in androgen receptor gene repeat and frequency of chosen parameters of metabolic syndrome in 45-65 aged men in Wroclaw population].

Introduction: The activity of androgen receptor (AR) is modulated by a polymorphic CAG trinucleotide repeat in receptor gene. There are suggestion, that there are association between polymorphism androgen receptor gene and the occurrence typical features of metabolic syndrome in men. The metabolic syndrome is more frequent with aging.

The relationship between gastroesophageal reflux disease and the level of physical activity.

Principles: Data on associations between physical activity and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) have been inconsistent. Although experimental and clinical studies prove that exercise increases gastroesophageal reflux, epidemiological observations on the relationship between GERD and everyday physical effort deliver contradictory results. Our aim was to examine the association between the level of everyday physical activity and parameters of the disease (pH-metry, symptoms) in patients diagnosed with GERD.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease and physical activity.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is one of the most common disorders in the general population. In recent years, a marked increase in the occurrence of the disease worldwide has been noted. Intense exercise belongs to factors that are known to exacerbate symptoms of GERD.

Sex steroids concentrations in relation to bone mineral density in men with coronary atherosclerosis.

Background: Although suspected, relationships between sex steroids and bone mineral density (BMD) are not fully defined in male population. According to recent data there may also exist an association between low BMD and atherosclerosis.

Objective: Our aim was to investigate relationships between serum sex steroids and BMD, and between BMD and atherosclerosis in men with coronary artery disease (CAD).