Androgens and bone

Abstract

The present review will focus on the most important recent findings with respect to skeletal androgen action. Many studies have indicated that part of the androgen action may be related to the conversion of androgens into estrogens. Therefore, some of the most recent findings of skeletal estrogen action relevant for male skeletal physiology will also be discussed. Androgens and estrogens stimulate bone formation and inhibit bone resorption. Sex steroids may interact with different receptors, target cells and other bone anabolic pathways. Androgen receptor and estrogen receptor signalling appear to be important for male bone formation during growth. Sex steroid signalling may involve genomic and nongenomic pathways, interaction with mechanical loading, the growth hormone/insulin-like growth factor-I axis and/or other bone anabolic pathways. Estrogen receptor α in osteoclasts appears to regulate bone resorption in women but not men, whereas androgen receptor signalling in osteoblasts may only partly regulate bone resorption in males. The latest developments indicate that androgens and estrogens are important for male bone metabolism and homeostasis and therefore selective estrogen receptor α and androgen receptor signalling remain interesting drug targets for the stimulation of bone formation and male skeletal integrity.