CHANGES IN THE PITUITARY‐TESTICULAR SYSTEM WITH AGE

TLDR

The study aimed to comprehensively describe pituitary‑testicular hormone dynamics across the human lifespan (ages 2–101). Researchers measured LH, FSH, testosterone, estradiol, SHBG, free hormone fractions, and testosterone‑to‑estradiol conversion in 466 subjects, then compared these data with clinical indices of testicular size, sexual function, and secondary sex hair distribution. Results showed that LH and FSH rise during puberty and continue to increase after age 40, testosterone declines after 40, estradiol slightly rises, SHBG decreases in adulthood then rises in old age, free hormones and metabolic clearance rates fall with age, and overall data support a primary decline in testicular function beyond 40.

Abstract

SUMMARY In order to provide a comprehensive account of pituitary‐testicular function in man, 466 subjects, ranging in age from 2 to 101 years, were studied to examine blood levels of the pituitary gonadotrophins (LH and FSH), the sex steroids testosterone and oestradiol, the binding capacity of the sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG), the free testosterone and oestradiol fractions, and the transfer constant for the peripheral conversion of testosterone to oestradiol. The results were compared with clinical indices of testicular size, sexual function and secondary sex hair distribution. Serum LH and FSH were low before puberty, increased in pubertal adolescents to levels somewhat above those of adults and subsequently increased progressively over the age of 40 years. Testosterone levels fell slowly after the age of 40, while there was a slight rise in plasma oestradiol with increasing age. FSH and testosterone showed small seasonal variations in young adult men, the lowest values being seen in winter. SHBG binding capacity was high in two prepubertal boys, fell in adult men, but increased in old age. Free testosterone and oestradiol levels fell in old age. The metabolic clearance rates (MCR) of testosterone and oestradiol also fell in old age, while the conversion of testosterone to oestradiol was increased. Many correlations were observed between various hormonal and clinical measurements. The evidence is consistent with a primary decrease in testicular function over the age of 40 years.