The association of testosterone, sleep, and sexual function in men and women

Autor(es)

Andersen, Monica L. ^[1] ; Alvarenga, Tathiana F. ^[1] ; Mazaro-Costa, Renata ^[2] ; Hachul, Helena C. ^{[1, 3]} ; Tufik, Sergio ^[1]

Afiliação do(s) autor(es)

^[1] Univ Fed Sao Paulo, Dept Psychobiol, BR-04024002 Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[2] Univ Fed Goias, Dept Ciencias Fisiol, Goiania, Go - Brazil

^[3] Univ Fed Sao Paulo, Dept Ginecol, BR-04024002 Sao Paulo - Brazil

• Tipo de documento: Artigo de Revisão
• Fonte: Brain Research; v. 1416, p. 80-104, OCT 6 2011.
• Citações Web of Science: 58

Resumo

Testosterone has been the focus of several investigations and review studies in males, but few have addressed its effects on sleep and sexual function, despite evidence of its androgenic effects on circadian activity in both sexes. Studies have been conducted to understand how sleeping increases (and how waking decreases) testosterone levels and how this rhythm can be related to sexual function. This review addresses the inter-relationships among testosterone, sexual function and sleep, including sleep-disordered breathing in both sexes, specifically its effects related to sleep deprivation. In addition, hormonal changes in testosterone that occur in the gonadal and adrenal axis with obstructive sleep apnea and other conditions of chronic sleep deprivation, and which consequently affect sexual life, have also been explored. Nevertheless, hormone-associated sleep disruptions occur across a lifetime, particularly in women. The association between endogenous testosterone and sex, sleep and sleep disturbances is discussed, including the results of clinical trials as well as animal model studies. Evidence of possible pathophysiological mechanisms underlying this relationship is also described. Unraveling the associations of sex steroid hormone concentrations with sleep and sexual function may have clinical implications, as sleep loss reduces testosterone levels in males, and low sex steroid hormone concentrations have been associated with sexual dysfunction. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. (AU)

• Processo FAPESP: 09/01030-5 - Efeito da privação e restrição de sono na função reprodutiva de ratos machos
• Beneficiário: Tathiana Aparecida Fernandes de Alvarenga
• Modalidade de apoio: Bolsas no Brasil - Doutorado
• Processo FAPESP: 09/14206-4 - Efeito da privação e restrição de sono na função reprodutiva de ratos machos
• Beneficiário: Monica Levy Andersen
• Modalidade de apoio: Auxílio à Pesquisa - Regular