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Cited by 495Sperm and Testicular FunctionHormonal and reproductive studiesHypothalamic control of reproductive hormones

Leydig cell numbers, daily sperm production, and serum gonadotropin levels in aging men

NEAVES, WILLIAM B., JOHNSON, LARRY, PORTER, JOHN C., PARKER, C. RICHARD, PETTY, CHARLES S.·1984·The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism
DOI 10.1210/jcem-59-4-756
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Abstract

Age-related changes in Leydig cell number, daily sperm production, and circulating hormone levels were studied in 15 men between 20 and 48 yr of age and 15 men between 50 and 76 yr of age. Testes and blood samples were obtained at autopsy less than 15 h after death due to trauma or heart attack. Leydig cell number was determined by quantitative histometric estimation of the proportion of glutaraldehyde-perfused, decapsulated testicular parenchyma occupied by Leydig cell nuclei of measured average volume in both testes of each subject. Daily sperm production was determined by phase contrast cytometry of round spermatid nuclei in homogenates of both fixed testes from each individual. LH, FSH, PRL, and testosterone in serum from the heart or large veins were quantified by RIA. No relationship was detected between any of the testicular or hormonal values and postmortem time. The average total number of Leydig cells was reduced by 44% in the older men and was negatively correlated with age (p = -0.62) in all men. Mean serum LH was elevated more than 2-fold in the older men and was positively correlated with age (p = +0.53) in all men. Neither serum testosterone nor serum PRL changed significantly with age. Daily sperm production was more than 50% lower in older men and was negatively correlated with age (p = -0.76) in all men. Serum FSH was more than 3-fold higher in the older men and was positively correlated with age (p = +0.72) in all men. The highest FSH levels were found in men with the lowest rates of sperm production, and FSH and daily sperm production were inversely correlated even after the effects of age were removed. These findings show that the response of the human testis to aging is variable and that the predictive value of age for most testicular characteristics is weak at the level of individual men. Nevertheless, age accounts for more than a third of the variation in Leydig cell number, and it explains more than half the variation in daily sperm production. Hence, age is the largest single contributing factor yet identified in the search for explanations underlying the variation in testicular structure and function found in groups of normal men.

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Crossref · 10.1210/jcem-59-4-756

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Authors
NEAVES, W. B., JOHNSON, L., PORTER, J. C., PARKER, C. R., & PETTY, C. S.
Affiliations
The University of Texas System (US)
ORCID
Venue
The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism
Publisher
The Endocrine Society
Published
1984-10
Volume
59
Issue
4
Pages
756-763
ISSN
  • 0021-972X (ISSN-L)
  • 1945-7197
DOI
10.1210/jcem-59-4-756
OpenAlex
W1998273730
Cited by
495
References
32
Citations by year
2026: 2 · 2025: 14 · 2024: 16 · 2023: 19 · 2022: 19 · 2021: 13 · 2020: 11 · 2019: 18 · 2018: 13 · 2017: 17 · 2016: 14 · 2015: 15 · 2014: 23 · 2013: 6 · 2012: 11
FWCI
5.36
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Reproductive Medicine › Sperm and Testicular Function
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism › Hormonal and reproductive studies
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Reproductive Medicine › Hypothalamic control of reproductive hormones
Keywords
daily sperm production, older men, gonadotropins, luteinizing hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone, prolactin, serum testosterone, testicular histology, testicular function
MeSH terms
Adult, Aged, Aging, Cell Count, Follicle Stimulating Hormone, Gonadotropins, Humans, Leydig Cells, Luteinizing Hormone, Male, Middle Aged, Prolactin, Sperm Count, Spermatogenesis, Testosterone

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