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Researchers at Durham University suggests that men who grow up in more challenging conditions where there are lots of infectious diseases, for example, are likely to have lower testosterone levels in later life than those who spend their childhood in healthier environments.
Testosterone affects a man’s appearance and sexual development, it stimulates sperm production and sex drive. Men’s testosterone levels are determined by their environment during childhood. High testosterone levels may cause prostate enlargement and cancer, the researchers suggest that any screening for risk profiles may need to take a man’s childhood environment into account.
The study found discovered that Bangladeshi men who grew up and lived as adults in the UK had significantly higher levels of testosterone compared to those who grew up and lived in Bangladesh as adults. Bangladeshis in Britain also reached puberty at a younger age and were taller than men who lived in Bangladesh throughout their childhood.
The differences are linked to energy investment as it may only be possible to have high testosterone levels if there are not many other demands placed on the body such as fighting off infections. Exposure to disease or poor nutrition in childhood may affect the development of males direct energy testosterone hormone.
The researchers collected data from 359 men on height, weight, age of puberty and other health information along with saliva samples to examine their testosterone levels. They compared the following groups: men born and still resident in Bangladesh; Bangladeshi men who moved to the UK (London) as children; Bangladeshi men who moved to the UK as adults; second-generation, UK-born men whose parents were Bangladeshi migrants; and UK-born ethnic Europeans.
Men with higher levels of testosterone are at greater risk of potentially adverse effects of this hormone on health and aging. Very high levels can mean increased muscle mass, increased risk of prostate diseases and have been linked to higher aggression. Very low testosterone levels in men can include lack of energy, loss of libido and erectile dysfunction.
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