IBMS BoneKEy | Perspective

Androgens versus Estrogens: different theories about opposing actions on periosteal bone expansion

Katrien Venken
Roger Bouillon
Dirk Vanderschueren

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DOI:10.1138/20080308

Abstract

Sexual dimorphism in bone structure has been considered to result from divergent actions of sex steroid hormones, i.e., androgens being stimulatory and estrogens being inhibitory for periosteal bone expansion. This traditional concept has been challenged by observations in male mice and men unable to produce or respond to estrogens, which demonstrate that both androgens and estrogens are necessary for maximal periosteal expansion. Besides this complex hormonal regulation, mechanical loading is another important determinant of radial bone expansion. However, neither hormonal nor mechanical stimuli alone are able to explain periosteal bone expansion and the interaction between both stimuli may be of particular importance for the acquisition of an optimal bone size.

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