Interaction of Hormones with Receptors and Alterations of These Processes with Age

Abstract

We have been studying alterations in hormone action during the aging process. If one looks in the literature at studies of hormonal responses during aging, it becomes readily apparent that many responses at both the physiological and biochemical levels have been observed to change (for reviews, see refs. 1 and 2). In many cases, the changes are in a negative direction: decreased responsiveness or decreased sensitivity to various hormones. In some cases, however, there is no change; and in a few situations there may actually be increases in sensitivity. However, the large majority of changes for many different hormones, target cells, and tissues are post-maturational reductions in responsivenss.