[The effect of androgen on bone metabolism]

Although androgens are thought to be important for skeletal maintenance, little is known about the mechanisms involved. In osteoporotic animal studies, androgens directly stimulate bone formation, and increase periosteal bone mass in cortical bone. These effects are reflected to a major gender difference in bone size. Recently, attempts have been made to develop selective androgen receptor modulators (SARMs) that have tissue selective androgenic activity in bone and muscle with less side effects on prostate to cause prostate hypertrophy or cancer.