Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Experiment Videos

Regulation of Leydig cell steroidogenic function during aging.

B R Zirkin1, H Chen

  • 1Division of Reproductive Biology, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, USA. brzirkin@jhsph.edu

Biology of Reproduction
|September 20, 2000
PubMed
Summary

Leydig cell aging in rats reduces testosterone production due to impaired steroidogenesis and receptor function. Reactive oxygen species may cause this age-related decline in Leydig cells.

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Leydig cell aging: Molecular mechanisms and treatments.

Vitamins and hormones·2021
Same author

Testosterone replacement in transgenic sickle cell mice controls priapic activity and upregulates PDE5 expression and eNOS activity in the penis.

Andrology·2017
Same author

Transdifferentiation of adult rat stem Leydig cells into prostatic and uterine epithelium, but not epidermis.

Andrology·2017
Same author

Leydig cell aging and hypogonadism.

Experimental gerontology·2015
Same author

In utero exposure to the endocrine disruptor di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate induces long-term changes in gene expression in the adult male adrenal gland.

Endocrinology·2014
Same author

Drug ligand-induced activation of translocator protein (TSPO) stimulates steroid production by aged brown Norway rat Leydig cells.

Endocrinology·2013

Area of Science:

  • Reproductive Biology
  • Aging Research
  • Endocrinology

Background:

  • Leydig cells are crucial for testosterone production.
  • Aging is associated with decreased testosterone levels and altered reproductive function.
  • Understanding Leydig cell aging mechanisms is vital for reproductive health.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the physiological and molecular changes in Leydig cells during aging.
  • To identify the factors contributing to age-related decline in testosterone production.
  • To explore the role of reactive oxygen species in Leydig cell aging.

Main Methods:

  • Comparison of young and old Brown Norway rats.
  • Measurement of serum hormone levels (testosterone, FSH, LH).

Related Experiment Videos

  • Leydig cell function assays, including hCG binding, cAMP production, and steroidogenic enzyme activity.
  • Analysis of Steroidogenic Acute Regulatory (StAR) protein and mRNA levels.

    • Main Results:

    • Old rats exhibited lower serum testosterone and higher FSH levels than young rats.
    • Leydig cells from old rats showed reduced testosterone production capacity, fewer hCG receptors, and diminished cAMP response to LH.
    • Activities of key steroidogenic enzymes and StAR protein/mRNA levels were decreased in aged Leydig cells.
    • LH administration did not restore testosterone production in old rats, and suppressing steroidogenesis delayed age-related decline.

    Conclusions:

    • Aging impairs Leydig cell function through reduced receptor number, signal transduction defects, and decreased steroidogenic enzyme activity.
    • Age-related reductions in testosterone production are likely due to intrinsic Leydig cell changes, not LH deficiency.
    • Reactive oxygen species generated during steroidogenesis may contribute to age-related damage and functional decline in Leydig cells.