The male hormone testosterone exerts different effects on glucose and energy homeostasis in males and females. Testosterone deficiency predisposes males to visceral obesity, insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. However, testosterone excess predisposes females to similar metabolic dysfunction. Here, we review the effects of testosterone actions in the central nervous system on metabolic function in males and females. In particular, we highlight changes within the hypothalamus that control glucose and energy homeostasis. We distinguish the organizational effects of testosterone in the programming of neural circuitry during development from the activational effects of testosterone during adulthood. Finally, we explore potential sites where androgen might be acting to impact metabolism within the central nervous system.
Molecular and cellular endocrinology. 2017 Sep 04 [Epub ahead of print]
Jamie Morford, Sheng Wu, Franck Mauvais-Jarvis
Department of Medicine, Section of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Tulane University Health Sciences Center, School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA, United States., Department of Pediatrics and Physiology, Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States., Department of Medicine, Section of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Tulane University Health Sciences Center, School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA, United States. Electronic address: .