Testosterone is produced primarily by the testes in men although it
also can be produced by the adrenal glands and other sites
including adipose tissue and bone. It is responsible for testes
descent and reproductive tract development in the fetus development
of male secondary sex characteristics in puberty and the production
of sperm. Testosterone production in men begins in utero rises
sharply in puberty and then declines with age (Pic. 2). Indeed the
Massachusetts Male Aging Study showed that total serum testosterone
levels decline by 1.6% per year starting at age 40. Testosterone is
also produced by the ovaries the adrenal glands and tissues such as
adipose tissue and skin in women although serum concentrations are
almost 20-fold lower in pre-menopausal women compared to
age-matched men. Interestingly testosterone levels also decline
with age in women. This age-dependent reduction in testosterone is
not restricted to humans as it is also seen in older male rats and
mice (>20 months of age) in conjunction with a decline in
fertility although whether levels decline in aged female animals
has not been investigated.
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About Testosterone
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