This study investigated how serum testosterone related to frailty in ageing male C57Bl/6 mice with or without lifelong testosterone deficiency. Mice underwent a sham surgery (n = 10) or gonadectomy (n = 11, GDX) at 4-weeks and then aged. Frailty scores (31-item frailty index) and testosterone were measured between 18- to 24-months of age. Age predicted frailty (p < 0.0001), but serum testosterone did not (p = 0.357). Life expectancy (AFRAID clock) and biologic age (FRIGHT clock) were not significantly different between groups (p = 0.485 and 0.142). The fact that lifelong testosterone deficiency did not exacerbate frailty suggests that low testosterone alone does not potently drive frailty in males.
Keywords: AFRAID clock; Ageing; Animal model; FRIGHT clock; Hormones.
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