|
|
|
Male Everest climbers have abnormally shaped sperm
12:42 p.m. EST Oct 30, 2003
That’s right, the good doctor Freer reports on the latest. “In a study of 3 male climbers to 7821m, serum testosterone and sperm counts were decreased at 1 and 3 months after the expedition, but returned to normal after 2 years. In addition, sperm were abnormally shaped at 1 month, but returned to normal at 3 months.”
There were only three subjects in the experiment to offer up ‘data’. The assessment was that something is going on and further research needs to be conducted. Whoever, picks up the torch and further looks into the effects of high-altitude on male fertility, is going to need some subjects.
So for all of next year’s male Everest climbers, the challenge is out there – how high can you actively participate in the experiment? There’s a rumor out there that Camp IV has been done before – however, that information can neither be confirmed nor disconfirmed at this time.
In other research, perhaps a bit more relevant to most, but not nearly as good for fodder as the ‘abnormally shaped sperm’ study, is that Tylenol and Ibuprofen are equally effective for the treatment of mild headaches at altitude. Remember that these drugs just mask the effects of AMS, and do not directly help treat AMS. For more info on that be sure to follow the link on the left to the official Everest Base Camp Medical Clinic website.
Image of sperm courtesy of NASA.
|
