Effect of dihydrotestosterone, 17-β-estrogen, genistein and equol on remodeling and morphology of bone in osteoporotic male rats during bone healing.

•The estrogen pathway is leading in the healing osteoporotic male rat bone.•Osteoporotic rat bone has the highest apposition rate in the periosteal area.•Healing increases periosteal, endosteal and decreases trabecular bone formation.•The highest apposition rate shifts from periosteal to endosteal bone during healing.•Testosterone as a drug could harness positive estrogenic and androgenic effects.