Bone and Men's Health. The role of androgens in bone metabolism

Testosterone is the major gonadal sex steroid produced by the testis and act as strong androgen. The adrenal glands produce the weaker androgens dehydroepiandrosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate, and androstenedione. These gonadal and adrenal androgens collectively affect skeletal homeostasis in both men and women. Because of the high prevalence of osteoporosis in women, investigators have been concerned especially in estrogen to resolve the mechanisms of bone metabolism. Estrogens play greater role in maintenance of skeletal health than testosterone, the current evidence suggests that androgens also have direct beneficial effects on bone metabolism. Androgens have anti-osteoporotic effect via direct interaction with androgen receptors, as well as effects mediated by estrogen receptors after aromatization to estradiol.