Testicular Aging: Leydig Cells and Spermatogenesis

摘要: Significant age-related decreases in serum testosterone concentration occur both humans and rats (1). Such changes could result from reduced numbers of Leydig cells, decreased production by increased metabolism, or all these. Herein we discuss evidence showing that the ability cells Brown Norway to produce declines with age, speculate as mechanisms which this might occur. As human (2–8), degenerative seminiferous tubules accompany aging rat (9–11). Age-related atrophy epithelium (i.e., loss germ cells) begins focally subsequently involves most testis. We provide follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) intratesticular are unlikely cause cell loss, alternative mechanisms.