Medical Studies on the effects of castration

[nullorchis (imported)]

Here is a thread to post medical studies on the effects of loss of testosterone. NOTE: Castrated can mean surgical (bi-later orchidectomy; both testes removed resulting in a eunuch) or chemical loss of testosterone resulting in a castrate (but not a eunuch). Frequently we think of a "castrated" man as being a eunuch, which can be true, but might not be true. Being a non-eunuch castrate may mean little or no testosterone but the testes produce and interact with the pituitary and other hormones. Thus studies done on non-eunuch castrates and on eunuch castrates will yield different results.

Study #1: Confirmation of what we know. Eunuchs not receiving supplemental testosterone will experience actual bone loss, the effects of which are not discussed here.

http://lib.bioinfo.pl/meid:224717

Castrated men exhibit bone loss: effect of calcitonin treatment on biochemical indices of bone remodeling.

[My paper] J J Stĕpán, M Lachman, J Zvĕrina, V Pacovský, D J Baylink

Department of Medicine 3, Charles University Faculty of Medicine, Prague, Czechoslovakia.

To test the hypothesis that the reduction in gonadal function can lead to bone mass loss, a group of 12 men who had undergone bilateral orchidectomy at the age of 28.2 +/- 6.8 yr was evaluated. A progressive loss of the lumbar bone density was observed as a function of time after orchidectomy. Both the biochemical indices of bone resorption (urinary hydroxyproline/creatinine ratio and plasma tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase) and bone formation (serum osteocalcin and bone isoenzyme of alkaline phosphatase) were significantly increased in the patients compared with healthy controls. A positive correlation was found between urinary hydroxyproline excretion and percent change in spinal bone mineral density per yr. Because of this increase in the biochemically indicated bone resorption, nine of the patients were studied again after 1-3 yr and were thereafter treated with intranasal calcitonin. Urinary hydroxyproline excretion normalized after 3 months of treatment, and a significant decrease, but not to normal levels, was also observed in the mean values for the other biochemical indices of bone remodeling. Thus, testosterone deficiency, like estrogen deficiency, is associated with accelerated bone loss. The increase in osteoresorption was partially corrected by calcitonin treatment.

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Feel free to post copies (not links) or other summary (short) studies that you might find that document the effects of surgical castration. (Include the link too for validation, but not just the link as links do get old).

For those who want to be surgically castrated, such information should be considered before making an intelligent informed educated decision to prevent one's balls from doing your thinking for you. Sometimes I think balls have self-destruction tendencies and are suicidal and they take over our thinking process and we whack them off before realizing what a complex role they have in our body. There is a lot more to them than just semen and testosterone and sex drive.

PS: Post studies done only on humans. Studies on rats etc. are not conclusive. Thanks.

[Kangan (imported)]

Thanks for your input. This is a serious topic for discussion. As a surgical eunuch, I will be taking appropriate precautions to guard against bone loss.

[JesusA (imported)]

There are a number of interesting article abstracts, book reviews, book excerpts, and even entire articles posted on the Non-Fiction Articles board.

[nullorchis (imported)]

LICORICE: DOES LICORICE SUPPRESS TESTOSTERONE PRODUCTION ? ONE STUDY SAYS:

Extracts of licorice root are widely used in many countries as flavoring agents, breath fresheners, or candy. The active component of licorice is glycyrrhizic acid, which is hydrolyzed in vivo to glycyrrhetinic acid. The well-known mineralocorticoid-like effect of licorice results from the inhibition of 11ß-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase, the enzyme that catalyzes the conversion of cortisol to cortisone, thereby minimizing the binding of cortisol to mineralocorticoid receptors. Licorice may also directly activate mineralocorticoid receptors. In vitro, licorice can block 17ß-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase, which catalyzes the conversion of androstenedione to testosterone.

[nullorchis (imported)]

THE FOOD YOU EAT CAN HELP RAISE (or lower) TESTOSTERONE LEVEL. This is just a generalized list that is designed to help increase testosterone level:

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Eat moderate amounts of protein. Protein in Latin means "above all else." Protein stimulates the hormone glucagon and the anabolic (muscle building) responses important for adequate testosterone release. (avoid protein to minimize testosterone release)

Eat more vegetables and fruit (eat some for general health, but in limited quantity for a lower T-level )

Lmit excessive carbohydrate intake especially of simple sugars and starches (grains, potatoes, pasta). Excess intake of carbohydrates especially those that raise blood sugar rapidly create chronically elevated levels of the hormone insulin and cortisol. These two hormones oppose the action of testosterone and diminish it’s production.

(so, eat pasta, potatoes, grains for a lower T diet)

Eat Fat! The reason, Jack Sprat was so lean was he ate no fat. Essential fats such as the omega 3 fatty acids found in fish and flaxseed as well as saturated fats are essential for normal testosterone production. All steroid hormones are produced from cholesterol and when fats are deficient in the diet, this process will be inhibited.

(avoid fat for a lower T diet)

Studies clearly indicate that low fat diets results in lower testosterone levels while those higher in protein, lower in carbohydrate and moderate in fat cause the greatest sustained levels of testosterone and growth hormone.

A recent study demonstrated the influence of diet on pre and post exercise testosterone and cortisol. After exercise with bench press and squat to failure, testosterone and cortisol were measured. Those men who were on a diet with a higher protein/carbohydrate ratio and percent fat content had the largest increase in testosterone and the smallest rise in cortisol.

You must train and eat smart to minimize the catabolic and maximize the anabolic effects of exercise. If your diet is very low in fat and high in complex carbohydrates and fiber, your testosterone levels may remain very low and you will never make the changes in muscle mass and strength that you desire

source: http://www.thehormoneshop.com/maintaini ... terone.htm

if you are taking testosterone replacement you would want to eat fruits, veggies, good fat, low carb, high protein diet to maximize the benefits of the HRT.

if you are taking testosterone reduction therapy you would want to eat few fruits and veggies, little to no fat, high carb, low protein diet.

If you are a eunuch the above would apply to some degree to deal with non-testicle production of testosterone.

Given the food our youth is eating and our fat boy society it is no wonder that we are raising a nation of food-induced castrates who can't get it up !