Testosterone suppresses hepcidin in men: a potential mechanism for testosterone-induced erythrocytosis.

ABSTRACT:

Context

The mechanisms by which testosterone increases hemoglobin and hematocrit are unknown.

Objective

The aim was to test the hypothesis that testosterone-induced increase in hematocrit is associated with suppression of the iron regulatory peptide hepcidin.

Participants

Healthy younger men (ages 19-35 yr; n = 53) and older men (ages 59-75 yr; n = 56) were studied.

Methods

Weekly doses of testosterone enanthate (25, 50, 125, 300, and 600 mg) were administered over 20 wk, whereas endogenous testosterone was suppressed by monthly GnRH agonist administration. Blood and serum parameters from each individual were measured at wk 0, 1, 2, 4, 8, and 20. Longitudinal analyses were performed to examine the relationship between hepcidin, hemoglobin, hematocrit, and testo

SUBMITTER: Bachman E 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3050108 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature