Leydig Cell Function in Normal Men: Effect of Age, Life-Style, Residence, Diet, and Activity*
Abstract
The decrease of plasma testosterone (T) in old age may be inherent to the aging process or secondary to environmental factors such as stress, minor illness, physical inactivity, etc. We determined plasma T, apparent free T, and gonadotropin levels in healthy men (n = 71), aged 26-90 yr living under identical conditions, i.e. as monks in a monastery. We found a highly significant age-dependent decrease in morning and mean 24-h T and apparent free T levels and a moderate increase in gonadotropin levels; the nycthemeral variation in plasma levels was, however, decreased in the elderly. In a larger group of healthy normal men (n = 302), smokers had higher T levels than nonsmokers in all age groups; values were similar whether older men lived in a geriatric institution or in their home. Diet had no discernable effect on T levels, whereas in young men plasma T levels decreased more in response to stress such as hypoglycemia or myocardial infarction than in elderly subjects. Moderate physical training in men, convalescing from myocardial infarction, did not alter consistently plasma T levels. We conclude that the age-associated decrease in plasma T levels is inherent to the aging process.
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The reported effects of smoking on testosterone levels in men are controversial, with some evidence suggesting no association and others reporting higher or lower total testosterone levels among smokers compared to nonsmokers.
“However, the reported effects of smoking on testosterone levels in men are controversial, with some evidence even suggesting no association 15,19-24 and others reporting higher 13,14,25-32 or lower 33,34 levels of TT among smokers compared to nonsmokers.”
From Cigarette smoking has a positive and independent effect on testosterone levels (2013) · cites this paper as [25]
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- Authors
- DESLYPERE, J. P., & VERMEULENf, A.
- Affiliations
- Ghent University (BE)
- Venue
- The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism
- Publisher
- The Endocrine Society
- Published
- 1984-11
- Volume
- 59
- Issue
- 5
- Pages
- 955-962
- ISSN
- 0021-972X (ISSN-L)
- 1945-7197
- OpenAlex
- W2077889556
- Cited by
- 343
- References
- 0
- Citations by year
- 2023: 6 · 2022: 3 · 2021: 3 · 2020: 1 · 2019: 4 · 2018: 1 · 2017: 5 · 2016: 6 · 2015: 5 · 2014: 3 · 2013: 8 · 2012: 5
- FWCI
- 7.30
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism › Hormonal and reproductive studies
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Reproductive Medicine › Sperm and Testicular Function
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Reproductive Medicine › Hypothalamic control of reproductive hormones
- Keywords
- Leydig cell function, plasma testosterone, aging, gonadotropins, smoking, stress response, myocardial infarction, hypoglycemia, exercise training, healthy men, lifestyle factors
- MeSH terms
- Adult, Aged, Aging, Circadian Rhythm, Diet, Physical Exertion, Humans, Leydig Cells, Life Style, Male, Middle Aged, Residence Characteristics, Smoking, Stress, Physiological, Testosterone
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