Associations of Sex Steroids with Changes in Calcaneal Quantitative Ultrasound Measurements: A Longitudinal Study in Chinese Male Adolescents

Abstract This 2-year longitudinal study aimed to detect the associations of sex steroids, SHBG with bone parameters and the changes thereof in Chinese male adolescents. A total of 642 male students aged 12-16 years from a secondary school in Jiangmen, China, were included. Total testosterone (T), total oestradiol (E2) and sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) were measured by chemiluminescence immunoassay. The bioavailable T (BioT) and E2 (BioE2) were calculated. The speed of sound (SOS), broadband ultrasound attenuation (BUA) and stiffness index (SI) of the right heel were measured by Sahara Clinical Bone Sonometer at both baseline and two-year follow-up. The confounding effects of age, height, weight, pubertal stage, physical activity, energy-adjusted dietary calcium intake and dietary vitamin D intake were adjusted. The baseline value of each bone parameter was also adjusted in the longitudinal analysis. Results showed that total T and BioT were positively associated with bone parameters and changes in them (β=0.076–0.115, p