Face cooling-induced reduction of plasma prolactin response to exercise as part of an integrated response to thermal stress

Summary This study was designed to verify if the decrease in blood prolactin (PRL) induced by selective face cooling during exercise could be part of a response to specific body thermal stress. Five healthy trained male cyclists presenting a significant plasma PRL elevation to exercise were, on three occasions and at weekly interval, submitted to a submaximal exercise (approx. 65% ) on ergocycle with and without selective face cooling. In absence of face cooling a first trial served to establish reference values for workload, heart rate and plasma PRL levels, the latter increasing markedly (450% of resting values) in these conditions. On a second trial but with workload maintained at reference values (222±9 W), a significant bradycardia was observed with face cooling; furthermore, plasma PRL response to exercise was significantly reduced (to 31% of original response). On a third trial with face cooling, workload had to be significantly augmented (242±10 W) to maintain heart rate at reference level (78%HR _max); in addition, plasma PRL response to exercise was almost unchanged compared to the reference-value level. The absence of a significant face cooling-induced decrease in sympathetic tonus, as evaluated through peripheral plasma catecholamines response, does not indicate a role for the autonomic nervous system in the face cooling-induced reduction of both heart rate and PRL responses during exercise. Assay of circulating peripheral beta-endorphins could indicate that the face cooling-induced PRL blunted response does not necessarily involve an opioid mediation. It was concluded that decreased plasma PRL levels could be associated to bradycardia, hyposudation and peripheral vaso-constriction to constitute an integrated response to face cooling during thermal stress. This study was supported by grants from Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada and from Régie de la Sécurité dans les Sports du Québec