# TESTOSTERONE THERAPY IN THE HYPOGONADAL AGING MALE

> **NIH NIH R01** · EMORY UNIVERSITY · 1992 · $196,368

## Abstract

The long term objective of this application is to provide information about
the efficacy of testosterone (T) replacement therapy, in hypogonadal
elderly men, in preventing physical frailty by arresting bone density loss
and increasing muscle mass, strength, and balance.  Impaired muscle
strength, falls, and fractures contribute to the development of physical
frailty in the elderly.  In young men, androgens are known to have positive
effects on formation and maintenance of male muscle and bone, and T
replacement therapy in young hypogonadal men has been shown to increase
bone density and muscle mass.  Although a significant number of elderly men
are hypogonadal, little is known about the benefits and risks of androgen
replacement in this population.  Using a double-blind placebo controlled
design, men greater than or equal to 65 years of age, who are not yet frail
but have a serum T level below the normal range for young adult men, will
be given T replacement for 3 years.  An additional group will be given T
plus a 5alpha-reductase inhibitor, which is being utilized both as a means
to.elucidate the relative roles of T and dihydrotestosterone (DHT) in the
androgen effects on muscle and bone, and as a means of protecting the
prostate from increased androgen levels.  During the 3 year treatment
period, men will receive bone density measurements of the spine and hip,
evaluation of biochemical parameters of bone turnover, extremity muscle
strength testing, evaluation of balance, measurement of body composition,
and evaluation of parameters related to potential adverse effects of
androgen therapy (prostate, lipoproteins, hematocrit, and libido).  The
proposal specifically aims to study whether T replacement (1) has positive
effects on bone and muscle by preventing bone density loss and increasing
muscle mass, strength and balance, (2) has its effects without needing
conversion to the other major androgen, DHT, and (3) can be given safely to
elderly hypogonadal men.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 3122945
- **Project number:** 1R01AG010975-01
- **Recipient organization:** EMORY UNIVERSITY
- **SAM.gov UEI:** S352L5PJLMP8
- **Principal Investigator:** JOYCE S. TENOVER
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 1992
- **Award amount:** $196,368
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 1992-09-01 → 1996-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/3122945

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 3122945, TESTOSTERONE THERAPY IN THE HYPOGONADAL AGING MALE (1R01AG010975-01). Retrieved via MORVS 2026-10-25 from https://api.morvs.ai/grant/nih/3122945. Licensed CC0.

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