Aging Changes in the Male Reproductive System

Introduction

Aging is a natural physiological process. It is characterized by time-dependent destruction and reduction of different cells of the human body. This is also attributed to the reduction in the function of various organs and morphological changes in the tissue and cellular levels. After birth, the human body has gradual growth and development. These changes are related to the function of different hormones, minerals, and other physiological processes. As a result, the human body attains a level of maturity known as adulthood. Needless to say, the human body reaches its peak in terms of maturity and functionality. After this, a gradual loss of functioning takes place, which is attributed to loss and change in the cellular population. This is known as aging. The exact age for aging is not known as it depends upon several factors. However, age-related changes appear in the mid-forties or fifties.

What Are the Causes of Aging?

The biological process of aging is based on several processes. These processes are;

1. Oxidative Damage: One of the main causative factors associated with aging is oxidative damage. This damage is caused by the formation of reactive oxygen species. These reactive oxygen species are formed by molecules like hydroxyl radical and hydrogen peroxide. Excessive production of these molecules destroys cells and cellular membranes.

2. General Wear-And-Tear and Genetic Instability: This is one of the most well-known and well-accepted processes of aging. According to this process, repeated injury to organs and organelles is responsible for aging. Damage to the DNA structure is one of the most important factors in this process.

3. Mitochondrial Genome Damage: Metabolic changes are one of the main common factors seen in aging. These metabolic changes are mainly caused by mitochondria damage. The mutation rate of mitochondria is much faster than the mutation of DNA. These mutations cause defective functioning of mitochondria. As a result, energy production is altered, and reactive oxygen species are produced.

4. Telomere Shortening: Telomeres are present at the end of chromosomes and are made up of DNA sequences. This portion of the chromosomes is responsible for DNA degradation, recombination, and DNA end fusions. However, during cell division, the telomerase adds the telomere onto the chromosome. During this process, the telomeres become shorter and lose a small amount of DNA. As a result, defective cell functioning is observed.

5. Neuroendocrine Theory: According to this process, aging is caused by dysregulation of hormonal activity. Dysregulation in hormonal activity is responsible for altered activity of the hypothalamus-pituitary axis (HPA) axis. This disrupts the functioning of several organs and different cellular types. Cell death and changes in the functioning of the cells are caused by these changes.

6. Waste Product Accumulation: Accumulation of waste products due to metabolic activity is one of the main causes of aging. These metabolic products are lipofuscin and advanced glycation end products. These by-products are formed by oxidative damage and lysosomal dysfunction. Advanced glycation end products such as methylglyoxal and glyoxal are responsible for affecting the functioning of biological molecules like collagen, myelin, fibrinogen, tubulin, and plasminogen activator.

These processes are aided by several factors and changes in the body. These factors are:

1. Genetic and racial factors.

2. Food habits and health habits.

3. Stress, anxiety, depression, and other psychological disorders.

4. Sleeping patterns.

5. Harmful habits like smoking, and alcoholism.

What Are the Causes of Age-related Changes?

Hormonal changes mainly cause the changes seen in male reproductive patterns. In females, it is often linked to menopause. Though the term menopause in males is a misnomer, it is linked to hormonal changes. Testosterone is responsible for regulating male sexual functions such as sex drive, the functionality of male sex organs, muscle mass, and bone density. About 45 percent of testosterone in the body is bound to sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), which does not have androgenic potential. Only 2 percent of testosterone remains free. Approximately 43 percent of testosterone is bound to albumin, which does have androgenic potential. Bioavailable testosterone, which has an androgenic function, includes albumin-bound and free testosterone. However, after the age of 40, free testosterone levels decrease by less than 1.2 percent per year. The reduction in albumin-bound testosterone and free testosterone is 1 percent and 0.4 percent, respectively. Additionally, as age increases, there is a decrease in Leydig cell mass in the testicles, leading to lower testosterone levels. In some cases, dysfunction in hypothalamic-pituitary homeostatic control is also observed. Also, age-related changes are responsible for gonadal steroid feedback. As a result, there is an impairment in the levels of gonadotropin hormone-releasing hormone (GnRH). In some cases, an elevated level of luteinizing hormone is observed.

What Are the Age-Related Sexual Changes?

The age-related sexual changes seen in elderly men are;

1. Loss of sexual functions. Elderly people often find difficulty in erection or sustaining it. Erectile dysfunction is very common in these persons.

2. There is a decline in the sperm count in the semen. Also, changes in sperm quality are observed. Increased DNA fragmentation due to age causes less survivability of the sperm. Alteration in the functioning of the Sertoli cell is related to this. A decrease in the semen volume and daily sperm production is observed.

3. Around 30 percent decrease in the testicular volume is observed due to elevation of serum FSH level.

4. Age-related increases in the size of the prostate gland are very common. Hyperplasia of the prostate gland is caused by overgrowth of the basal cells and stromal cells.

5. Deposition of the fat and overgrowth of the male breast region of the male is observed. This is known as male boobs.

How to Treat Age-Related Changes in Elderly Men?

Needless to say, age-related changes are inevitable. These changes are physiologic rather than pathological. However, certain measures can be taken to delay or counter these changes. These changes are;

1. Exercise is one of the important ways to elevate the testosterone level in the body.

2. Obesity is related to decreased levels of testosterone in the body. Reduction in body fat can raise the testosterone level and decrease the level of estrogen.

3. Avoiding foods like junk food and oily food and habits like smoking and alcoholism may be helpful to improve age-related sexual changes.

4. Consumption of food rich in antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals is helpful to reduce age-related sexual changes.

5. Lifestyle maintenance such as eight hours of sleep, less stress, and regular meditation are very helpful in improving sexual health.

Conclusion

Age-related functional and morphological changes in the human body cause aging. Various physiological processes cause these changes. Aging disrupts the level of sex hormones in the male body. As a result, changes such as decreased fertility, sexual functions, and changes in sexual characteristics are observed.