The Endocrine Role of Estrogens on Human Male Skeleton
Table 1
Role of estrogens on male bone throughout lifespan.
Life stages
Effects of estrogens on bone
Fetal life
Poorly investigated/unknown
Infancy
Poorly investigated/unknown
Puberty
Early puberty (detectable but low E2)
Growth plate lengthening Rapid advancement of bone age Accelerated linear bone growth Increase in height velocity (growth spurt) Assurance of adequate target height attainment
Late puberty (high E2)
Thinning and progressive growth plate disappearance before epiphyseal closure Bone maturation Advancement of skeletal maturation Progression of bone age in late puberty Epiphyseal fusion and growth arrest Achievement of final height Allowance of skeletal body proportions Achievement of adequate peak bone mass Bone size Bone length Periosteal bone apposition (crosstalk with androgens)
