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Abstract:

Oestrogens play a key role in the regulation of skeletal homeostasis, not only in the female but also in the male. Indeed, during puberty, oestrogens stimulate skeletal growth in both sexes. Moreover, oestrogen deficiency explains to a large extent age-related cancellous bone loss. Age-related cortical bone loss, on the other hand, may be related to secondary hyperparathyroidism in the context of less efficient calcium metabolism in the elderly. Both androgens and the growth hormone-dependent insulin-like growth factor I also affect skeletal growth and maintenance. In this article, we briefly review the significance of these different endocrinological axes in both sexes, with respect to bone mineral homeostasis and osteoporosis.