Endocrine Abstracts

In men, aging is associated with a gradual and progressive decline in serum testosterone (T) levels, such that an increasing proportion of aging men have T levels below the normal range in young men, i.e. in the hypogonadal range. The age-related de-cline T levels is associated with alterations in body composition (decreasing lean and increasing fat mass), decreases in muscle mass and strength, bone mineral density (BMD), sexual function, and cognitive function, and depressed ...

We have previously demonstrated that ERβ is necessary for embryonic development of the brain as early as E14.5 and is involved in neuronal migration. Such early effects of estrogen receptors were unexpected because estradiol synthesis and action in the brain are well documented to occur at E18.5.Since the presence of ERβ in the embryonic brain has not been demonstrated, it remained possible that the developmental abnormalities in ERβ−/− mi...

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As humans age their ability to combat bacterial infection declines and reduced immunity is further compromised at times of emotional and physical stress. Adrenocortical hormones are elevated in response to chronic stress in both young and old, but the quality of the response is dramatically altered with aging. The adrenal steroid dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (DHEAS) is immune enhancing, while cortisol is immune suppressing. Serum DHEAS levels decline with age but cortisol d...