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Related Concept Videos

Bone Disorders01:29

Bone Disorders

Aging and its effect on bone remodeling is the most common cause of bone disorders. In young and healthy people, bone deposition and resorption happen at an equal rate to maintain optimal bone health.
Bone deposition is also affected by the levels of sex hormones like estrogen and testosterone that promote osteoblast activity and bone matrix synthesis. When the level of these hormones decreases due to aging, it causes a reduction in bone deposition. As a result, bone resorption by osteoclasts...
Hormones and Bone Tissue01:17

Hormones and Bone Tissue

The endocrine system produces and secretes hormones, which interact with the skeletal system. These hormones control bone growth, maintain bone once it is formed, and remodel it.
Hormones That Influence Osteoblasts and/or Maintain the Matrix
Several hormones are necessary for controlling bone growth and maintaining the bone matrix. The pituitary gland secretes growth hormone (GH), which, as its name implies, controls bone growth. This happens in several ways: first, it triggers chondrocyte...
Testosterone: Functions and Regulation01:26

Testosterone: Functions and Regulation

The intricate hormonal interplay essential for male reproductive health begins with the release of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) by the hypothalamus. This hormone prompts the pituitary gland to secrete follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH). LH targets the Leydig cells in the testes, stimulating them to produce and release testosterone. In concert with testosterone, FSH acts on the Sertoli cells within the seminiferous tubules to facilitate the release of...
Role of Vitamins in Maintaining Bone Health01:25

Role of Vitamins in Maintaining Bone Health

The growth and maintenance of bone are regulated by a combination of nutritional factors, including vitamins, such as vitamin A, B12, C, D, and K.
Vitamin A
Vitamin A is involved in the process of bone remodeling. Retinoic acid, the active metabolite of Vitamin A, has nuclear receptors in osteoblasts and osteoclasts, which are involved in bone remodeling.
Vitamin B12
Vitamin B12 acts as a cofactor during the formation of osteoblast-related proteins, such as osteocalcin. Vitamin B12 plays a role...
Bone Remodeling01:40

Bone Remodeling

Bone remodeling is a continuous and balanced process of bone resorption by osteoclasts and bone formation by osteoblasts. In adults, it helps maintain bone mass and calcium homeostasis. While mechanical stress can stimulate turnover as part of the normal maintenance and reparative process, several hormones also regulate bone remodeling.
Essential Minerals for Bone Health01:31

Essential Minerals for Bone Health

The minerals contained in all of the food we consume are essential for our organ systems. However, certain essential minerals, such as calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, manganese, and fluoride, largely affect bone health.
Calcium and Phosphorus
Calcium is a critical component of bones, especially in the form of calcium phosphate and calcium carbonate. Since the body cannot make calcium, it must be obtained from the diet. However, calcium cannot be absorbed from the small intestine without...

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Related Experiment Videos

Testosterone and Bone Health in Men.

Hussein Kafel1, Shehzad Basaria2

  • 1Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Research Program in Men's Health, Aging and Metabolism, Harvard Medical School, 221 Longwood Ave, BLI 541, Boston, MA, 02115, USA.

Current Osteoporosis Reports
|May 15, 2026
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Low testosterone is linked to reduced bone mass and higher fracture risk in men. While testosterone therapy improves bone density, it hasn't shown fracture reduction, suggesting alternative treatments for high-risk individuals.

Keywords:
Bone mineral densityFractureHypogonadismOsteoporosisTestosterone therapy

Related Experiment Videos

Area of Science:

  • Endocrinology
  • Bone Metabolism
  • Men's Health

Background:

  • Testosterone is crucial for maintaining the male skeleton.
  • Low testosterone levels in men correlate with decreased bone mass and increased fracture risk.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To examine the relationship between testosterone and skeletal health in men.
  • To review testosterone's impact on bone metabolism, bone density, and fracture risk.
  • To summarize findings from testosterone therapy trials regarding bone health outcomes.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of population studies on sex steroids and bone mineral density (BMD).
  • Analysis of clinical trials investigating testosterone replacement therapy (TRT).
  • Examination of data from major trials like TRAVERSE on TRT effects.

Main Results:

  • Population studies confirm low testosterone and estradiol are associated with reduced bone mass and higher fracture risk.
  • Testosterone replacement in hypogonadal men robustly improves BMD.
  • Testosterone therapy in older men shows modest BMD increases, but TRAVERSE trial indicated higher fracture rates.

Conclusions:

  • Testosterone significantly influences male skeletal maintenance.
  • While testosterone therapy can improve BMD, it has not proven effective in reducing fracture rates.
  • Hypogonadal men at high fracture risk should consider treatments with proven anti-fracture efficacy.