Effects of high altitude on plasma concentrations of testosterone and pituitary gonadotropins in man

Ten healthy male volunteers were rapidly taken to the top of Pike's Peak, altitude 14,100 ft (4,300 m) where they remained at the research station for 6 d. There were no significant changes, compared to their values at sea-level, in the plasma concentrations of testosterone, FSH, and LH during this period. There was a highly significant direct correlation between individual changes in testosterone and the gonadotropins on Day 1. Our data provide no evidence for an acute effect of high-altitude per se on the secretion of testosterone and the pituitary gonadotropins.