Sex Hormones and Tendon

[Nelson Vergel]

Sex Hormones and Tendon.
Hansen M, et al. Adv Exp Med Biol. 2016.

Authors

Hansen M1, Kjaer M2,3.

Author information

1Department for Public Health, Section for Sport Science, Aarhus University, Dalgas Avenue 4, 8000, Aarhus, Denmark.
2Institute of Sports Medicine, Department of Orthopedic Surgery M, Bispebjerg Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark.
3Center for Healthy Aging, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.
Citation
Adv Exp Med Biol. 2016;920:139-49. doi: 10.1007/978-3-319-33943-6_13.

Abstract

The risk of overuse and traumatic tendon and ligament injuries differ between women and men. Part of this gender difference in injury risk is probably explained by sex hormonal differences which are specifically distinct during the sexual maturation in the teenage years and during young adulthood. The effects of the separate sex hormones are not fully elucidated. However, in women, the presence of estrogen in contrast to very low estrogen levels may be beneficial during regular loading of the tissue or during recovering after an injury, as estrogen can enhance tendon collagen synthesis rate. Yet, in active young female athletes, physiological high concentration of estrogen may enhance the risk of injuries due to reduced fibrillar cross linking and enhanced joint laxity. In men, testosterone can enhance tendon stiffness due to an enhanced tendon collagen turnover and collagen content, but testosterone has also been linked to a reduced responsiveness to relaxin. The present chapter will focus on sex difference in tendon injury risk, tendon morphology and tendon collagen turnover, but also on the specific effects of estrogen and androgens.

 

[Jay]

Very interesting. Keep us posted on what the outcome is

 

[madman]

Sex Hormones and Tendon

Mette Hansen and Michael Kjaer


CONCLUSION

Sex differences in tendon biomechanical properties, tendon morphology and tendon collagen turnover suggests that sex hormones play an explanatory role in relation to injury risk. However, it is difficult to sort out the isolated effect of the sex hormones in cross-sectional studies comparing women and men or users and non-users of sex hormonal administration, since the groups may differ in many other ways e.g. training status. Nevertheless, both estrogen and testosterone in balanced physiological concentration seems to be important for tendon health and physical function, whereas very low or high concentrations of endogenous or exogenous administrated sex hormones may led to an enhanced risk of injuries and inadequate adaptation to mechanical loading. The research up to now has primarily focused on the ACL, Achilles, and the patellar tendon. The future may elucidate whether sex hormones influence tendons and ligaments differently depending on their localization and function.