Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Identifier

4819

Date

2016

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science

Major

Health and Human Performance

Concentration

Exercise and Sport Science

Committee Chair

Richard J Bloomer

Committee Member

Randal K Buddington

Committee Member

David A Freeman

Abstract

Background: It is commonly believed but unproven that plant-based diets result in low circulating testosterone, with minimal gains in lean body mass (LBM). Methods: Long-Evans rats (N=28) were assigned to experimental diets with either plant (PD) or animal (AD) protein sources. Animals were further divided into two additional conditions without and with exercise. Animals were fed ad libitum for 3 months and at the end of month three blood was collected for measurement of testosterone and estradiol concentrations. Dual x-ray absorptiometry assessed body composition. Results: Neither blood testosterone concentrations nor LBM differed between rats fed the PD or AD. Conclusion: Diet did not influence blood testosterone concentrations. Moreover, LBM increased at a similar rate between PD & AD groups. These findings indicate there is no significant difference between PD and AD regarding testosterone or LBM in male rats.

Comments

Data is provided by the student.

Library Comment

Dissertation or thesis originally submitted to the local University of Memphis Electronic Theses & dissertation (ETD) Repository.

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