[Estrogen and bone metabolism in man].

ABSTRACT

In males, androgen can be aromatized into estrogen by aromatase. Estrogen receptors were shown to be present in male-derived human osteoblasts. For males bone is an important target tissue of estrogen. It was demonstrated that deficiency of estrogen or mutation of estrogen receptor gene in males could lead to osteopenia, even osteoporosis. Estrogens are required for the pubertal growth of bone and play important roles in maintenance of bone mass in males.