Loss of Circadian Rhythmicity in Blood Testosterone Levels with Aging in Normal Men*
Abstract
Previous studies concerning the relationship of serum testosterone levels to aging in normal men have yielded apparently inconsistent results. Studies performing blood sampling in the morning have often shown an age-related decrease in testosterone levels, while those using afternoon samples have failed to show such a decrease. These results suggested to us the possibility that the circadian rhythm in serum testosterone levels might be altered with normal aging in men. Hourly blood samples were obtained for 24 h from 17 young (mean age, 25.2 yr) and 12 old (mean age, 71 yr) healthy men. Total testosterone levels were measured by RIA. The circadian rhythm in serum testosterone levels found in normal young men was markedly attenuated or absent in healthy elderly men; the early morning rise in testosterone levels characteristic of young men was not present in old age. Mean testosterone levels for the entire 24-h day were lower in healthy old men than in young men. These results demonstrate a clear decrease in serum testosterone levels in healthy old men compared to those in young men and provide an explanation for the inability to demonstrate an age-related decline in testosterone levels in earlier studies using serum samples obtained in the afternoon.
The claims and statistics of this paper haven’t been checked yet.
Run the check — free, no account needed. It reads the open-access text and checks the sources it cites.
Integrity signals
Registry
Cites
Statistics
Claims the paper makes
The claims and statistics of this paper haven’t been checked yet.
Run the check — free, no account needed. It reads the open-access text and checks the sources it cites.
Claims other papers make about this one
Each is checked against this paper’s own text: does it say what the citing paper says it does?
Men performing 236 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise had greater testosterone increases, 59 ng/dl versus 23 ng/dl, than those performing 105 minutes.
“Men performing 236 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise experienced greater increases in T (59 ng/dl versus 23 ng/dl [2 vs 0.8 nmol/L]) over those performing 105 minutes.”
From Challenges in Testosterone Measurement, Data Interpretation, and Methodological Appraisal of Interventional Trials (2016) · cites this paper as [72]
Exercise is independently associated with increasing testosterone levels.
“In addition to weight loss, exercise is independently associated with increasing T levels.”
From Challenges in Testosterone Measurement, Data Interpretation, and Methodological Appraisal of Interventional Trials (2016) · cites this paper as [72]
Self-check
Percentages, sums and reported differences re-computed from the paper’s own numbers.
The self-check needs the paper’s full text.
Cites
No references could be resolved yet.
Research works printed but not linked: 4
- [1]1. Harman SM 1978 Clinical aspects of aging in the male reproductive system. In: Schneider EL (ed) The Aging Reproductive System. Raven Press, New York, p 29
- [3]3. Kinsey AC, Pomeroy WB, Martin CE 1948 Sexual Behavior in the Human Male. Saunders, Philadephia
- [9]9. Prinz PN, Raskind M 1978 Aging and sleep disorders. In: Williams RL, Karacan I (eds) Sleep Disorders, Diagnosis, and Treatment. John Wiley and Sons, New York, p 303
- [18]18. Meites J, Huang HH, Simpkins JW 1978 Recent studies on neuroendocrine control of reproductive senescence in rats. In: Schneider EL (ed) The Aging Reproductive System. Raven Press, New York, p 213
Cited by
Sorted by citations
Longitudinal Effects of Aging on Serum Total and Free Testosterone Levels in Healthy Men
Harman, S. M., Metter, E. J., Tobin, J. D., Pearson, J., & Blackman, M. R. (2001) · The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism · doi:10.1210/jcem.86.2.7219 · Cited by 2,760 · see citing works
Bhasin, S., Cunningham, G. R., Hayes, F. J., Matsumoto, A. M., Snyder, P. J., Swerdloff, R. S., & Montori, V. M. (2010) · The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism · doi:10.1210/jc.2009-2354 · Cited by 1,954 · see citing works
Feldman, H. A., Longcope, C., Derby, C. A., Johannes, C. B., Araujo, A. B., Coviello, A. D., Bremner, W. J., & McKinlay, J. B. (2002) · The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism · doi:10.1210/jcem.87.2.8201 · Cited by 1,861 · see citing works
Self-citationTestosterone Therapy in Men With Hypogonadism: An Endocrine Society Clinical Practice Guideline.
Bhasin, S., Brito, J. P., Cunningham, G. R., Hayes, F. J., Hodis, H. N., Matsumoto, A. M., Snyder, P. J., Swerdloff, R. S., Wu, F. C., & Yialamas, M. A. (2018) · The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism · doi:10.1210/jc.2018-00229 · Cited by 1,736 · see citing works
The suprachiasmatic nucleus of the human brain in relation to sex, age and senile dementia
Swaab, D. F., Fliers, E., & Partiman, T. S. (1985) · Brain Research · doi:10.1016/0006-8993(85)91350-2 · Cited by 847 · see citing works
Li, J., Vitiello, M. V., & Gooneratne, N. S. (2018) · Sleep Medicine Clinics · doi:10.1016/j.jsmc.2017.09.001 · Cited by 742 · see citing works
Self-citationPrevalence of Symptomatic Androgen Deficiency in Men
Araujo, A. B., Esche, G. R., Kupelian, V., O’Donnell, A. B., Travison, T. G., Williams, R. E., Clark, R. V., & McKinlay, J. B. (2007) · The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism · doi:10.1210/jc.2007-1245 · Cited by 720 · see citing works
Araujo, A. B., O’Donnell, A. B., Brambilla, D. J., Simpson, W. B., Longcope, C., Matsumoto, A. M., & McKinlay, J. B. (2004) · The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism · doi:10.1210/jc.2003-031719 · Cited by 591 · see citing works
Araujo, A. B., Durante, R., Feldman, H. A., Goldstein, I., & McKinlay, J. B. (1998) · Psychosomatic Medicine · doi:10.1097/00006842-199807000-00011 · Cited by 576 · see citing works
Leydig cell numbers, daily sperm production, and serum gonadotropin levels in aging men
NEAVES, W. B., JOHNSON, L., PORTER, J. C., PARKER, C. R., & PETTY, C. S. (1984) · The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism · doi:10.1210/jcem-59-4-756 · Cited by 495 · see citing works
Andropause: clinical implications of the decline in serum testosterone levels with aging in men
Matsumoto, A. M. (2002) · The Journals of Gerontology Series A: Biological Sciences and Medical Sciences · doi:10.1093/gerona/57.2.m76 · Cited by 490 · see citing works
Brambilla, D. J., Matsumoto, A. M., Araujo, A. B., & McKinlay, J. B. (2009) · The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism · doi:10.1210/jc.2008-1902 · Cited by 448 · see citing works
Testosterone treatment and mortality in men with low testosterone levels
Shores, M. M., Smith, N. L., Forsberg, C. W., Anawalt, B. D., & Matsumoto, A. M. (2012) · The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism · doi:10.1210/jc.2011-2591 · Cited by 460 · see citing works
Endogenous sex hormones and metabolic syndrome in aging men
Muller, M., Grobbee, D. E., den Tonkelaar, I., Lamberts, S. W. J., & van der Schouw, Y. T. (2005) · The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism · doi:10.1210/jc.2004-1158 · Cited by 456 · see citing works
Hypogonadism in men consuming sustained-action oral opioids
Daniell, H. W. (2002) · The Journal of Pain · doi:10.1054/jpai.2002.126790 · Cited by 401 · see citing works
Diver, M. J., Imtiaz, K. E., Ahmad, A. M., Vora, J. P., & Fraser, W. D. (2003) · Clinical Endocrinology · doi:10.1046/j.1365-2265.2003.01772.x · Cited by 338 · see citing works
Neuroendocrine rhythms and sleep in aging men
van Coevorden, A., Mockel, J., Laurent, E., Kerkhofs, M., L'Hermite-Baleriaux, M., Decoster, C., Neve, P., & Van Cauter, E. (1991) · American Journal of Physiology-Endocrinology and Metabolism · doi:10.1152/ajpendo.1991.260.4.e651 · Cited by 336 · see citing works
Basaria, S. (2014) · The Lancet · doi:10.1016/s0140-6736(13)61126-5 · Cited by 328 · see citing works
Barrett-Connor, E. (1992) · Annals of Internal Medicine · doi:10.7326/0003-4819-117-10-807 · Cited by 281 · see citing works
Traish, A. M., Goldstein, I., & Kim, N. N. (2007) · European Urology · doi:10.1016/j.eururo.2007.02.034 · Cited by 268 · see citing works
Sikaris, K., McLachlan, R. I., Kazlauskas, R., de Kretser, D., Holden, C. A., & Handelsman, D. J. (2005) · The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism · doi:10.1210/jc.2005-0962 · Cited by 259 · see citing works
PLYMATE, S. R., TENOVER, J. S., & BREMNER, W. J. (1989) · Journal of Andrology · doi:10.1002/j.1939-4640.1989.tb00120.x · Cited by 239 · see citing works
Self-citationBrambilla, D. J., O'Donnell, A. B., Matsumoto, A. M., & McKinlay, J. B. (2007) · Clinical Endocrinology · doi:10.1111/j.1365-2265.2007.02976.x · Cited by 207 · see citing works
Sex hormones and bone mineral density in elderly men
Murphy, S., Khaw, K.-T., Cassidy, A., & Compston, J. E. (1993) · Bone and Mineral · doi:10.1016/s0169-6009(08)80022-0 · Cited by 187 · see citing works
Declining gonadal function in elderly men
Kaufman, J. M., & Vermeulen, A. (1997) · Baillière s Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism · doi:10.1016/s0950-351x(97)80302-3 · Cited by 181 · see citing works
Moon, J.-H., Cho, C.-H., Son, G. H., Geum, D., Chung, S., Kim, H., Kang, S.-G., Park, Y.-M., Yoon, H.-K., Kim, L., et al. (2016) · EBioMedicine · doi:10.1016/j.ebiom.2016.08.019 · Cited by 163 · see citing works
Sleep, circadian biology and skeletal muscle interactions: Implications for metabolic health
Morrison, M., Halson, S. L., Weakley, J., & Hawley, J. A. (2022) · Sleep Medicine Reviews · doi:10.1016/j.smrv.2022.101700 · Cited by 118 · see citing works
Why Is Androgen Replacement in Males Controversial?
Cunningham, G. R., & Toma, S. M. (2011) · The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism · doi:10.1210/jc.2010-0266 · Cited by 111 · see citing works
Trost, L. W., & Mulhall, J. P. (2016) · The Journal of Sexual Medicine · doi:10.1016/j.jsxm.2016.04.068 · Cited by 98 · see citing works
Anawalt, B. D., & Merriam, G. R. (2001) · Endocrinology and Metabolism Clinics of North America · doi:10.1016/s0889-8529(05)70206-1 · Cited by 93 · see citing works
Juul, A. (2002) · Human Reproduction Update · doi:10.1093/humupd/8.5.423 · Cited by 80 · see citing works
Anestis, S. F. (2006) · American Journal of Physical Anthropology · doi:10.1002/ajpa.20387 · Cited by 76 · see citing works
UYANIK, B. S., ARI, Z., GÜMÜS, B., YIGITOGLU, M. R., & ARSLAN, T. (1997) · Japanese Heart Journal · doi:10.1536/ihj.38.73 · Cited by 75 · see citing works
Swaab, D. F., Van Someren, E. J. W., Zhou, J. N., & Hofman, M. A. (1996) · Progress in Brain Research · doi:10.1016/s0079-6123(08)60418-5 · Cited by 75 · see citing works
The association of time of day and serum testosterone concentration in a large screening population
Crawford, E. D., Barqawi, A. B., O’Donnell, C., & Morgentaler, A. (2007) · BJU International · doi:10.1111/j.1464-410x.2007.07022.x · Cited by 68 · see citing works
Liu, P. Y. (2019) · The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism · doi:10.1210/jc.2019-00683 · Cited by 55 · see citing works
TENOVER, J. S., & BREMNER, W. J. (1991) · Journal of Andrology · doi:10.1002/j.1939-4640.1991.tb00265.x · Cited by 41 · see citing works
Self-citationAge related variation of salivary testosterone values in healthy Japanese males
Uchida, A., Bribiescas, R. G., Ellison, P. T., Kanamori, M., Ando, J., Hirose, N., & Ono, Y. (2006) · The Aging Male · doi:10.1080/13685530601060461 · Cited by 39 · see citing works
Brambilla, D. J., O’Donnell, A. B., Matsumoto, A. M., & McKinlay, J. B. (2007) · The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism · doi:10.1210/jc.2007-1303 · Cited by 32 · see citing works
Testosterone administration in older men
Matsumoto, A. M. (2013) · Endocrinology and Metabolism Clinics of North America · doi:10.1016/j.ecl.2013.02.011 · Cited by 32 · see citing works
A "Timed" Kiss Is Essential for Reproduction: Lessons from Mammalian Studies
Putteeraj, M., Soga, T., Ubuka, T., & Parhar, I. S. (2016) · Frontiers in Endocrinology · doi:10.3389/fendo.2016.00121 · Cited by 28 · see citing works
Cortisol awakening response and testosterone jointly affect adolescents' theory of mind
Wang, H., Zhang, S., Wu, S., Qin, S., & Liu, C. (2022) · Hormones and Behavior · doi:10.1016/j.yhbeh.2022.105258 · Cited by 7 · see citing works
- Authors
- Bremner, W. J., Vitiello, M. V., & Prinz, P. N.
- Affiliations
- United States Department of Veterans Affairs (US)
- Venue
- The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism
- Publisher
- The Endocrine Society
- Published
- 1983-06
- Volume
- 56
- Issue
- 6
- Pages
- 1278-1281
- ISSN
- 0021-972X (ISSN-L)
- 1945-7197
- OpenAlex
- W2014689988
- Cited by
- 785
- References
- 0
- Citations by year
- 2026: 10 · 2025: 22 · 2024: 17 · 2023: 30 · 2022: 21 · 2021: 13 · 2020: 18 · 2019: 12 · 2018: 9 · 2017: 23 · 2016: 22 · 2015: 23 · 2014: 22 · 2013: 26 · 2012: 30
- FWCI
- 9.70
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- ResearchWorks at the University of Washington (University of Washington) (submittedVersion)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism › Hormonal and reproductive studies
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Reproductive Medicine › Hypothalamic control of reproductive hormones
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Endocrine and Autonomic Systems › Circadian rhythm and melatonin
- Keywords
- serum testosterone, circadian rhythm, aging, menopause
- MeSH terms
- Adult, Aged, Aging, Circadian Rhythm, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Testosterone
About these checks
Registry, retraction, Cites and statistics results are computed, not judged, with one exception: a printed reference that no index lists is read once by a model before it counts as a citation error. Claims are extracted by a model and kept only when their quote appears verbatim in the text; each cited source is then checked, with a model’s help, for whether it says what the claim relies on. Those verdicts can be wrong — read the claim’s quote and the cited source before relying on one.
Statistics and arithmetic are recomputed, not judged.
Confidence bands are shown only for fields calibrated on our annotated test set. None is calibrated yet, so no band is shown.
What counts as a claim ›How we measure confidence ›How we check this ›
Are you an author, or do you see a problem with this page? Request a review
