Gonadal hormones and their influence on skeletal health in men

Osteoporosis in men has only recently begun to receive more attention despite it being estimated that about one third of all osteoporotic fractures occur in men and that the residual lifetime fracture risk in a man aged 60 years may be as high as 30%. Accrual of bone mass and age-related bone loss in aging healthy men are multifactorial processes involving hormonal, environmental, and genetic factors. This review will summarise the effects of gonadal steroids on bone turnover and bone mass in men.