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Intratesticular unconjugated steroids in elderly men
Journal of Steroid Biochemistry
|May 1, 1986
Summary
Aging testes show altered steroid profiles, with decreased 5-ene steroids but not 4-ene steroids. This pattern in elderly men may stem from reduced testicular oxygen supply, not enzyme activity blocks.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Andrology
- Reproductive Biology
Background:
- Testosterone production declines with age.
- The impact of aging on the cholesterol-to-testosterone biosynthetic pathway in testes requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate intratesticular steroid levels in young versus elderly men.
- To determine if age-related testosterone decline is linked to a block in steroidogenesis.
- To explore the influence of oxygen supply on testicular steroid patterns.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of intratesticular steroids (pregnenolone, dehydroepiandrosterone, progesterone, testosterone, etc.) in testes from suddenly deceased young and elderly men.
- Assessment of 5-ene and 4-ene steroid concentrations.
- Evaluation of lyase and 17-hydroxylase activity indicators.
Main Results:
- Elderly men exhibited decreased 5-ene steroid concentrations.
- No decrease in 4-ene steroids was observed; progesterone levels were higher in aged testes.
- Evidence did not support a decline in lyase or 17-hydroxylase activity.
Conclusions:
- The altered steroid pattern in aged testes is characterized by reduced 5-ene steroids.
- The findings suggest reduced testicular perfusion and oxygen supply, rather than enzymatic blocks, may explain age-related changes in steroidogenesis.