Abstract
Hypogonadism affects about 5 million American men and is associated with reduced lean body mass, bone mineral density, muscle mass, and libido. As in men, serum testosterone (T) declines in Brown Norway rats as a consequence of reduced Leydig cell T production in response to luteinizing hormone (LH) rather than from reduced LH. Reduced T is associated with reductions in Leydig cell cyclic adenosine monophosphate production, cholesterol transfer from intracellular sources into the mitochondria (the rate-determining step in T formation), and downstream steroidogenic enzymes. There is strong evidence for the involvement of altered balance between reactive oxygen production and the antioxidant defense system in age-related T reduction. These findings suggest that manipulation of the Leydig cell redox environment and/or the stimulation of cholesterol transfer into mitochondria may represent novel targets for the prevention or treatment of age-related reductions in T.
Original language | English (US) |
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Title of host publication | Conn's Handbook of Models for Human Aging |
Publisher | Elsevier |
Pages | 853-862 |
Number of pages | 10 |
ISBN (Electronic) | 9780128113530 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Jan 1 2018 |
Keywords
- Aging
- Brown Norway rat
- Cholesterol
- Leydig cell
- Luteinizing hormone
- Oxidative stress
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Medicine(all)