ENDOCRINE STUDIES AT HIGH ALTITUDE. III.

Abstract

ABSTRACT Total urinary gonadotrophins have been measured in 8 natives living at 14 000 feet (HA), in 10 natives living at sea level (SL), and 10 SL natives during exposure to 14 000 feet for 14 days. For the determinations the kaolin-acetone extraction technique and the mouse uterus test with NIH-HPG-UPM-1 as reference standard were used. HA natives excrete 1.25 ± 0.20 (S. E. M.) mgEq. NIH-HPG-UPM-1 and SL men 1.14 ± 0.31 (S. E. M.). No significant changes occurred during the acute exposure of SL natives to HA. The authors conclude that the unimpaired fertility of the HA native does not depend on adaptive alterations in gonadotrophin excretion, and that acute exposure of males to 14 000 feet for 14 days does not cause any alterations in the urinary excretion of gonadotrophins, detectable by the method used.