COMBINED EFFECTS OF AGING AND OBESITY ON SERUM TESTOSTERONE LEVELS OF OTHERWISE HEALTHY MALES OF SOUTH PUNJAB

Abstract

Background: Aging men experience gradual decline in serum testosterone levels (andropause) which is accentuated if aging is coupled with obesity. This study aimed to note the age and obesity related testosterone decline in men. Methods: It was a cross-sectional study comprising of 80 healthy male subjects categorized into younger (20–40 years) and elder (41–60 years) groups which were equally divided into non-obese and obese subgroups. Serum testosterone levels were measured using ELISA. Results: Serum testosterone levels (ng/dl) of young non-obese subjects (Group A) were significantly higher [680 (575.0–778.5)] as compared to their elder (Group B) [286.0 (263.5–370.0)] counterparts (p=0.000), and so was true for comparison between (Group C) younger [412.5 (338.0–542.5)] and (Group D) elder obese subjects [258.0 (220.0–287.5)] (p=0.000). Serum testosterone levels of obese elder subjects (group D), though lower than their age and ethnicity matched non-obese (Group B) counterparts, were not statistically significant (p=0.114). Moreover, serum testosterone levels of non-obese (Group A+B) subjects were negatively correlated to Waist Circumference (WC) and Waist Hip Ratio (WHR) [(rho= -0.374, p=0.018) and (rho= -0.355, p=0.025) respectively] while within obese subjects (Group C+D) serum testosterone levels were negatively correlated to waist circumference only [(rho= -0.643, p=0.000)]. Conclusion: Circumferential obesity coupled with aging results in a steeper decline in serum testosterone levels which can puts obese aging men at high risk of systemic disorders.