Leydig cell steroidogenesis in aging rats

Recent studies from our and other laboratories have shown that Leydig cells, the testicular cells responsible for testosterone production; become steroidogenically hypofunctional with age. Herein we review some of what we now know about the mechanisms by which this occurs, and some among the many remaining uncertainties in our understanding of Leydig cell aging. To help shed light on how Leydig cells age, we also briefly discuss the regulation of Leydig cell differentiation during puberty and of Leydig cell function in adult animals.