[Aging of the human testis]

Abstract

The morphological and histological changes related to testicular aging are: volume decrease, arteriolar sclerosis, degeneration of Leydig cells and Sertoli, depletion of germ cells and thickening of the tunica albuginea testis. The participation in testicular androgen decline in aging is related to the decrease in the number of Leydig cells associated with alterations in the functioning of the hypothalamic-pituitary axis Sperm volume, concentration and total number, motility and morphology of sperm decrease with aging male. The interindividual variability of sperm parameters, the variability of methodologies for data collection and selection of patients must be careful in interpreting the published results. Overall, the quality of sperm decreases progressively with age, without any age limit that can be individualized. Alterations of spermatogenesis do not seem significantly compromising fertility in the elderly. The clinical impact of testicular aging implies androgen production decrease and diseases associated with aging.