Psychosocial stress and male gonadal function

Normal ageing in men is associated with a physiological decline in testosterone levels, but adverse environmental or psychosocial factors may also impair testosterone secretion and cause secondary biological changes. In a number of observational or experimental studies in both animals and man, it has been possible to study the influences on gonadal function of stressful life situations. To understand the dynamics of testosterone, it is also useful to apply a perspective from evolutionary medicine. This review will focus on stress, testosterone and biological changes. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V All rights reserved