The effect of cross-gender hormonal treatment on bone metabolism in male-to-female transsexuals.

A deficiency of sex hormones leads in both sexes to increased bone loss, and hormonal substitution can prevent this. The effect of the change of hormonal environment on bone metabolism in transsexuals is unknown. Transilial bone biopsies were obtained from 23 male-to-female transsexuals (mean age +/- SD, 38.0 +/- 11.7 years) after estrogen (ethinylestradiol, 100 micrograms/day) and antiandrogen treatment (cyproterone acetate, 100 mg/day) for 8-41 months. Histomorphometric data were compared with those from 11 healthy men (39.6 +/- 9.4 years). There was no difference in bone volume, bone surface, or trabecular thickness between transsexuals and controls. Eroded surface and osteoclast number were not different between the groups. The osteoid volume, surface, and thickness were significantly lower in the transsexuals than in the controls. The mineral apposition rate and adjusted apposition rate were normal, but mineralizing surface and bone formation rate were suppressed in the transsexuals compared with data reported from the literature. The results indicate that antiandrogen and estrogen treatment in male-to-female transsexuals may suppress bone turnover and is not associated with bone loss.