The progressive, physiological decline in the production, bioavailability, and receptor sensitivity of various endocrine hormones that occurs naturally with chronological aging. This systemic reduction affects critical hormones such as testosterone, estrogen, progesterone, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), and growth hormone. The decay contributes directly to a spectrum of age-related clinical manifestations, including sarcopenia, reduced bone mineral density, diminished cognitive function, and altered metabolic homeostasis. Clinical practice often refers to this phenomenon as endocrinosenescence, highlighting the inevitable involution of glandular function over time.
Origin
This descriptive term synthesizes the biological process of aging (senescence) with the fundamental physiological concept of hormonal decay (endocrinological decline). Its origin lies within the field of gerontology and clinical endocrinology, where researchers quantify the gradual reduction in circulating hormone levels across the lifespan. The concept is central to understanding the biochemical basis of age-related health decline and informing therapeutic interventions.
Mechanism
The decay mechanism involves multiple interconnected factors, beginning with reduced biosynthetic capacity in endocrine glands like the adrenals and gonads. Furthermore, there is an altered hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis feedback loop, leading to dysregulated pulsatile release of tropic hormones. Target tissue receptor downregulation and increased levels of binding globulins, such as Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin (SHBG), further diminish the effective free fraction of hormones available to exert biological action at the cellular level. This complex cascade ultimately disrupts cellular signaling and systemic physiological maintenance.
We use cookies to personalize content and marketing, and to analyze our traffic. This helps us maintain the quality of our free resources. manage your preferences below.
Detailed Cookie Preferences
This helps support our free resources through personalized marketing efforts and promotions.
Analytics cookies help us understand how visitors interact with our website, improving user experience and website performance.
Personalization cookies enable us to customize the content and features of our site based on your interactions, offering a more tailored experience.