ANDROGENS DIRECTLY STIMULATE MINERALIZATION AND INCREASE ANDROGEN RECEPTORS IN HUMAN OSTEOBLAST-LIKE OSTEOSARCOMA CELLS

5 alpha-Dihydrotestosterone (DAT), an active form of testosterone, was shown to stimulate the mineralization of osteoblasts in a time- and d ose-dependent manner in Vitro in the presence of inorganic phosphate, as well as transforming growth factor beta and 1 alpha,25 dihydroxyvit amin D3. However,DHT, stimulated the mineralization by a different mec hanism from that of transforming growth factor beta and 1 alpha,25 dih ydroxyvitamin D3. We found that DHT increased the number of androgen r eceptors. These findings suggest that androgens directly stimulate min eralization in osteoblasts associated with an increase in the number o f their receptors. (C) 1994 Academic Press, Inc.