Leydig cell aging and the mechanisms of reduced testosterone synthesis

MOLECULAR AND CELLULAR ENDOCRINOLOGY

卷:299

Review

Midzak, Andrew S.¹  Chen, Haolin¹  Papadopoulos, Vassilios²  Zirkin, Barry R.¹ 

[1] Johns Hopkins Bloomberg Sch Publ Hlth, Div Reprod Biol, Dept Biochem & Mol Biol, Baltimore, MD 21205 USA

[2] McGill Univ, McGill Univ Hlth Ctr, Res Inst, Montreal, PQ H3H 2R9, Canada

关键词: Leydig cell;    Testosterone;    Luteinizing hormone;    Steroidogenesis;   

DOI  :  10.1016/j.mce.2008.07.016

来源: Elsevier

【 摘 要 】

In mates, serum testosterone levels decline with advancing age. Though part of a complex process, this age-related decline in testosterone appears to occur, in part, due to a significant decline in the ability of aged Leydig cells to produce testosterone maximally in response to luteinizing hormone (LH). The structure of the molecular machinery responsible for the synthesis of testosterone is described, and placed in the context of Leydig cell biology. Multiple parameters related to the synthesis of testosterone by the Leydig cell have been observed to change with age. Relationships among these changes are reviewed. A discussion of potential causes of the age-related decline in Leydig cell steroidogenic capacity presents a model in which the inability of aged cells to adequately respond to hormonal stimulation results in cellular regression with concomitant decline in maximal testosterone output. (C) 2008 Published by Elsevier Ireland Ltd.

【 授权许可】

Free