Serum Dihydrotestosterone is a Major Determinant of Bone Mineral Density in Men

In the present investigation, 100 osteoporotic men with 100 age-matched normal were studied for serum sex steroids, parathyroid hormone (PTH), thyroid hormone (T 3 ), cytokines and bone turnover markers. Serum dihydrotestosterone (DHT) was significantly decreased in osteoporotic men compared with normal. In osteoporotic men, there was a significant increase in serum interleukin (IL)-lalpha. A marked increase in bone formation marker, serum osteocalcin (OCN) and bone resorption marker, serum tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) reflects high bone turnover in osteoporotic men. In conclusion, the present findings point out an important role of DHT in maintaining BMD in men. A strong positive correlation of serum DHT with BMD offers new perspectives in understanding the role of non-aromatizable androgen in the regulation of bone metabolism in men.