Effect of Ramadan fasting on secretion of sex hormones in healthy single males

ABSTRACT

To determine the effects of Ramadan fasting on the secretion of sex hormones in single healthy males, we measured blood hormone levels of testosterone, luteinizing hormone [LH] and follicle-stimulating hormone [FSH] in 52 single male students aged 18-24 years who were fasting for >/= 12 hours during Ramadan. Four blood samples were taken from each, one 2 days before and the others on 10, 20 and 28 Ramadan. Testosterone level was lower, significantly so for the 20th and 28th of the month [P < 0.05]; FSH was increased, significantly for the 20th [P < 0.05]; LH did not change significantly