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Aging and Declining Testosterone: Past, Present, and Hopes for the Future

Aging and Declining Testosterone: Past, Present, and Hopes for the Future Abstract: As men age, serum testosterone (T) levels decline, whereas serum luteinizing hormone (LH) levels increase somewhat or remain unchanged. Age‐related reductions in T levels may be associated with alterations in body composition; energy level; muscle strength; physical, sexual, and cognitive functions; and mood. The predominant contributor to the decline in serum T levels is the decreased ability of the aging testes to make T. As in humans, the Brown Norway rat demonstrates age‐related reductions in serum T levels in the setting of unchanged or modestly increased serum LH levels. In this rat model, the ability of aged Leydig cells, the terminally differentiated T‐producing cells of the testis, to produce T in response to LH stimulation is significantly diminished. This review begins with a discussion of what is known of the molecular mechanisms by which T synthesis declines with Leydig cell aging. It concludes with a brief history of T replacement therapy, current guidelines, controversies related to T replacement therapy in older men, and proposed future clinical directions. http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png Journal of Andrology Wiley

Aging and Declining Testosterone: Past, Present, and Hopes for the Future

Journal of Andrology , Volume 33 (6) – Dec 12, 2012

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References (45)

Publisher
Wiley
Copyright
Copyright © 2012 Wiley Subscription Services, Inc., A Wiley Company
ISSN
0196-3635
eISSN
1939-4640
DOI
10.2164/jandrol.112.017160
pmid
22879528
Publisher site
See Article on Publisher Site

Abstract

Abstract: As men age, serum testosterone (T) levels decline, whereas serum luteinizing hormone (LH) levels increase somewhat or remain unchanged. Age‐related reductions in T levels may be associated with alterations in body composition; energy level; muscle strength; physical, sexual, and cognitive functions; and mood. The predominant contributor to the decline in serum T levels is the decreased ability of the aging testes to make T. As in humans, the Brown Norway rat demonstrates age‐related reductions in serum T levels in the setting of unchanged or modestly increased serum LH levels. In this rat model, the ability of aged Leydig cells, the terminally differentiated T‐producing cells of the testis, to produce T in response to LH stimulation is significantly diminished. This review begins with a discussion of what is known of the molecular mechanisms by which T synthesis declines with Leydig cell aging. It concludes with a brief history of T replacement therapy, current guidelines, controversies related to T replacement therapy in older men, and proposed future clinical directions.

Journal

Journal of AndrologyWiley

Published: Dec 12, 2012

Keywords: ;

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