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Semin Reprod Med 2004; 22(4): 361-368
DOI: 10.1055/s-2004-861552
Copyright © 2004 by Thieme Medical Publishers, Inc., 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.

Adrenal Androgens and Aging

Sejal Dharia1 , C. Richard Parker1  Jr. 
  • 1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
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Publication History

Publication Date:
05 January 2005 (online)

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ABSTRACT

Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) are the principal C19 steroids produced by the human adrenals. Their plasma levels decline to less than 20% of their maximal value during aging. Because these steroids appear to play a role in the maintenance of immunity, musculoskeletal integrity, and cardiovascular health, age-associated declines in adrenal androgen production may contribute to decreased immune function, osteoporosis, and atherosclerosis. Production of DHEA and DHEAS has been localized to the zona reticularis (ZR) of the adrenal cortex and can be modulated by intra-adrenal or extra-adrenal modulators. Extra-adrenal modulators include corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH), adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), insulin, and transforming growth factor β (TGF-β). Intra-adrenal regulators include enzymes and proteins involved in the steroidogenic pathway, specifically 17,20 lyase activity and DHEA sulfotransferase (DST). The natural histories of the emergence of adrenal androgen production and the ontogeny of the ZR appear to correlate closely. In addition, aging results in a decline in adrenal androgen production, and our data suggest a parallel diminution in the area represented by the ZR. This decline in the ZR may result from apoptosis, cellular and humoral immunity, or a reduction in the replicative capacity of the cells of the ZR.

KEYWORDS

Adrenal cortex - aging - androgens - zona reticularis - DHEA - DHEAS

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C. Richard Parker Jr.Ph.D. 

Professor, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Alabama at Birmingham

618 South 20th Street, 360 Old Hillman Building

Birmingham, AL 35294-7333

Email: crparker@uab.edu