Effect of training programs on some pulmonary functions and physical work capacity of students of faculty of physical education of Assiut University

This study included 400 students of Faculty of Physical Education of Assuit University of both sexes. It was carried out to study the effect of the Faculty training program on some pulmonary function test, maximum oxygen consumption [VO[2max]], physical work capacity [PWC[170]], ratio and oxygen saturation. The study showed the following: Pulmonary function test values: at the start of the studying year, the mean values of pulmonary function test showed non-significant change in all studied groups after Karpman test on comparing with those before it [males and females]. The values of male and female students significantly increased with training progress [from the start of the training period till the end of twenty week]. The values of the fourth year [male and female] students were significantly higher than that of the first year students. The values of male students were higher than that of the female among all studied grades. Physical work capacity [PWC[170]] and VO[2max]: the mean values of [PWC[170]] and VO[2max] of all students [male and female] were progressively increased with training period from the start of the studying year to the period of ten weeks after the start. After that, no significant changes could be recorded on comparing with that after twenty week. The mean values of the fourth year students were the highest while the first year values are the lowest both in male and female students, The mean values of male were higher than that of the female in all studied groups. The ratio [PWC[170] to the weight]: the mean values of the ratio [PWC[170] to the weight] of both male and female students increased progressively with the training period till the end of the twenty weeks, The mean values of female ratio were higher than that of the male in all studied groups. Oxygen saturation: the mean values of both male and female students were not affected by training progress. The mean values of oxygen saturation of male students were significantly higher than that of female students. There was non-significance decrease in oxygen saturation in both male and female students after Karpman test

Changes in ionic composition and O2 consumption of skeletal muscle in chronically alcoholic rabbits

Ingestion of ethanol [1.36 gm/kg BW] twice daily by mature male rabbits for period of 28 days produced significant increase in skeletal muscle Na+ and Ca++ and significant decrease in its K+ contents compared with the control group. Serum levels of these ions did not show any significant changes. O2 consumption of skeletal muscle and liver was significantly decreased compared with that of the control. Serum lactic dehydrogenase enzyme showed significant increase than the control. Rabbits receiving isocaloric amount of glucose did not show any significant change in their muscle ion content, serum ion level and serum lactic acid dehydrogenase enzyme. The results indicated that ethyl alcohol might induce muscle damage. This could be proved by decreased K+ and increased Ca++ contents in the muscle, decreased O2 consumption of the muscle and increased serum lactic acid dehydrogenase enzyme

Effect of some stress factors on plasma testosterone and cortisol levels in male rats

This study demonstrated that acute immobilization stress induced suppression in testosterone and elevation in cortisol levels in plasma of albino rats. The rise in cortisol is partially responsible for the declining in the testosterone concentrations. High serum level of glucocorticoids impaired directly the testicular function, decreased the sensitivity of pituitary gland to LHRH and reduced the hypothalamic release of LHRH. On the other hand, chronic immobilization stress, noisy test and harmony sounds induced a decrease in both testosterone and cortisol plasma levels. This indicated that other mechanisms were implicated in the suppression of testosterone level included the inhibition of the hypothalamic pituitary gonadal axis by increased prolactin secretion and the release of endogenous opioid peptides

Serum gonadotropins, testosterone and prolactin in azoospermic men in relation to the histopathological changes

Serum follicle stimulating hormone [FSH], luteinizing hormone [LH], testosterone and prolactin levels in relation to histopathological appearance were studied in 32 azoospermic men. Histologically, they were classified into four groups; normal[25%], sertoli-cell-only syndrome [28.1%], maturation arrest [25%] and focal tubular atrophy [21.8%]. In azoospermic men with normal histological findings, gonadotropins and testosterone levels were within the normal values. In other groups associated with histological changes, gonadotropins were significantly raised. Testosterone had a significant lower levels than normal in cases of maturation arrest. Prolactin levels were normal in all azoospermic men. These findings suggested the importance of hormonal determination for evaluation and management of male infertility