Testicular aging revisited: Current understanding of mechanisms and emerging interventions.

Feng Jiang, Xianglong Wang, Na Wang, Dong Niu, Huaming Xi

Key Laboratory of Applied Technology on Green-Eco-Healthy Animal Husbandry of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Provincial Engineering Laboratory for Animal Health Inspection & Internet Technology, Zhejiang International Science and Technology Cooperation Base for Veterinary Medicine and Health Management, China-Australia Joint Laboratory for Animal Health Big Data Analytics, College of Animal Science and Technology & College of Veterinary Medicine of Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou 311300, China. Electronic address: [email protected] Laboratory of Applied Technology on Green-Eco-Healthy Animal Husbandry of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Provincial Engineering Laboratory for Animal Health Inspection & Internet Technology, Zhejiang International Science and Technology Cooperation Base for Veterinary Medicine and Health Management, China-Australia Joint Laboratory for Animal Health Big Data Analytics, College of Animal Science and Technology & College of Veterinary Medicine of Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou 311300, China. Electronic address: [email protected]. · pubmed

Paper

Abstract

Male reproductive aging is a complex physiological process characterized by progressive deterioration in spermatogenesis, hormonal imbalance, and increased susceptibility to infertility and genetic disorders. This review comprehensively summarizes the pivotal molecular mechanisms underlying testicular aging, with emphasis on mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress, DNA damage, autophagy impairment, chronic inflammation, cellular senescence, and dysregulated apoptosis. Accumulating evidence indicates that age-related declines in Sertoli and Leydig cell function disrupt the blood-testis barrier (BTB), impair steroidogenesis, and compromise germ cell support, ultimately leading to reduced sperm quantity and quality. Furthermore, we highlight emerging therapeutic strategies targeting these pathways, including antioxidant agents, DNA repair enhancers, autophagy modulators, and anti-inflammatory compounds. This review provides a mechanistic framework for understanding male reproductive aging and identifies promising targets for intervention to delay testicular aging and preserve fertility in aging men.

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Research summary

The paper claims that targeting molecular mechanisms of testicular aging can lead to interventions that preserve fertility in aging men. This research addresses the underlying biological processes of aging in the male reproductive system, which is crucial for understanding and potentially mitigating age-related declines in fertility, thus contributing to the broader field of longevity.

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