Book contents
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- List of contributors
- Preface
- 1 Testosterone: an overview of biosynthesis, transport, metabolism and non-genomic actions
- 2 The androgen receptor: molecular biology
- 3 Androgen receptor: pathophysiology
- 4 Behavioural correlates of testosterone
- 5 The role of testosterone in spermatogenesis
- 6 Androgens and hair: a biological paradox
- 7 Androgens and bone metabolism
- 8 Testosterone effects on the skeletal muscle
- 9 Androgens and erythropoiesis
- 10 Testosterone and cardiovascular diseases
- 11 Testosterone and erection
- 12 Testosterone and the prostate
- 13 Clinical uses of testosterone in hypogonadism and other conditions
- 14 Pharmacology of testosterone preparations
- 15 Androgen therapy in non-gonadal disease
- 16 Androgens in male senescence
- 17 The pathobiology of androgens in women
- 18 Clinical use of 5α-reductase inhibitors
- 19 Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and androstenedione
- 20 Selective androgen receptor modulators (SARMs)
- 21 Methodology for measuring testosterone, DHT and SHBG in a clinical setting
- 22 Synthesis and pharmacological profiling of new orally active steroidal androgens
- 23 Hormonal male contraception: the essential role of testosterone
- 24 Abuse of androgens and detection of illegal use
- Subject Index
9 - Androgens and erythropoiesis
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 18 January 2010
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- List of contributors
- Preface
- 1 Testosterone: an overview of biosynthesis, transport, metabolism and non-genomic actions
- 2 The androgen receptor: molecular biology
- 3 Androgen receptor: pathophysiology
- 4 Behavioural correlates of testosterone
- 5 The role of testosterone in spermatogenesis
- 6 Androgens and hair: a biological paradox
- 7 Androgens and bone metabolism
- 8 Testosterone effects on the skeletal muscle
- 9 Androgens and erythropoiesis
- 10 Testosterone and cardiovascular diseases
- 11 Testosterone and erection
- 12 Testosterone and the prostate
- 13 Clinical uses of testosterone in hypogonadism and other conditions
- 14 Pharmacology of testosterone preparations
- 15 Androgen therapy in non-gonadal disease
- 16 Androgens in male senescence
- 17 The pathobiology of androgens in women
- 18 Clinical use of 5α-reductase inhibitors
- 19 Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and androstenedione
- 20 Selective androgen receptor modulators (SARMs)
- 21 Methodology for measuring testosterone, DHT and SHBG in a clinical setting
- 22 Synthesis and pharmacological profiling of new orally active steroidal androgens
- 23 Hormonal male contraception: the essential role of testosterone
- 24 Abuse of androgens and detection of illegal use
- Subject Index
Summary
Introduction
Men exhibit a higher mass of red blood cells than women, which had already been demonstrated by spectrophotometry in 900 subjects almost 100 years ago (Williamson 1916). This fact cannot totally be accounted for by menstrual blood loss occuring in women and has been shown to be caused by higher androgen levels present in men (Vahlquist 1950). The marked influence of androgens on erythropoiesis was a major endocrinological research topic during the 1970s (for review: Shahidi 1973). Although the prime time of androgen therapy for anemia passed with the introduction of recombinant erythropoietin (rhEPO) in 1987, androgens continue to be widely used for testosterone substitution therapy in hypogonadal men who often present with markedly lowered hemoglobin and erythrocyte concentrations. Nevertheless, the general issue of androgens in relation to erythropoiesis seems to be experiencing a current revival. The effects of androgens on erythropoiesis are exerted via several pathways which will be discussed. Safety aspects concerning increased red blood cell mass in terms of a putatively affected risk for ischemic vascular disease will also be considered.
Mechanisms of androgen action within the erythropoietic system
First intervention trials concerning androgens and erythropoiesis were performed in intact rats which exhibited a marked increase of hemoglobin concentrations and bone marrow activity upon testosterone administration (Vollmer and Gordon 1941). These results were confirmed in orchiectomized or hypophysectomized animals in which the resulting anemia could be successfully treated by injections with testosterone propionate (Crafts 1946; Steinglass et al. 1941).
- Type
- Chapter
- Information
- TestosteroneAction, Deficiency, Substitution, pp. 283 - 296Publisher: Cambridge University PressPrint publication year: 2004
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