Hormones and Bone Tissue

Besides vitamins and minerals, a variety of hormones also control the growth and maintenance of bone tissue in the human body.

The synthesis of bone matrix—mainly carried out by osteoblasts—is regulated by the growth hormone secreted by the pituitary gland and thyroxine secreted by the thyroid gland.

These hormones enhance the rate of protein synthesis, cell metabolism, and cell division, which overall contributes to bone growth, especially during young and adolescent ages.

At the onset of puberty, testosterone secreted by the testes in males and estrogen secreted by the ovaries in females mediates the periosteal bone growth and the epiphyseal closure.

In adults, the parathyroid hormone secreted by parathyroid glands regulates calcium homeostasis in the body by maintaining a balance between bone resorption and formation.

Hormones are also crucial for fetal skeletal development. In fact, in pregnant women, calcitonin secreted by the C-cells of the thyroid gland facilitates the transfer of calcium ions from the mother's body to the fetus.