Objective To investigate the association between serum osteocalcin (OC) level and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) in general adult male. Methods This study was based on the Fangchenggang Area Male Health and Examination Survey (FAMHES) cohort. The cross‑sectional analysis included 2 370 research subjects from the 2009 baseline data. Multiple linear regression and binary logistic regression were used to analyze the associations of baseline serum OC level—with continuous variable ln(OC) and quartile groups (Research subjects were divided into Q1, Q2, Q3 and Q4 groups according to the quartiles of baseline serum OC level)—with baseline eGFR and low eGFR (<90 mL/[min·1.73 m2]). Restricted cubic spline (RCS) analysis was applied to explore dose‑response relationships. According to the data of the 2011 cohort study involving 1 631 research subjects, the associations between baseline serum OC level and eGFR at the end of the 2‑year follow‑up, ΔeGFR (eGFR2011‑eGFR2009), and non‑rapid eGFR decline (no annual eGFR decline≥3 mL/[min·1.73 m2]) were further clarified. Models were adjusted for confounders including age, body mass index, lifestyle factors, and metabolic factors. Sensitivity analyses and subgroup analyses were performed to test the robustness and heterogeneity of the results. Results (1) Cross‑sectional multivariate regression analysis showed that baseline serum OC level was negatively associated with baseline eGFR (β=-4.83, 95% CI: -6.60 to -3.05, P<0.001), and positively associated with low baseline eGFR (OR=1.79, 95% CI: 1.27-2.53, P<0.001). Compared with the Q1 group, the Q2, Q3, and Q4 groups had eGFR decreases of 2.53, 3.72, and 4.93 mL/(min·1.73 m2), respectively (Ptrend<0.001); the ORs for low eGFR in the Q2, Q3, and Q4 groups were 1.44, 1.60, and 1.93, respectively (Ptrend<0.001). RCS analysis revealed a non‑linear association between baseline serum OC level and baseline eGFR (Poverall<0.001, Pnon‑linearity=0.015), but a linear association with low baseline eGFR (Poverall=0.002, Pnon‑linearity=0.137). Sensitivity and subgroup analyses observed consistent correlation results. (2) Cohort analysis showed that baseline serum OC level was negatively associated with eGFR at the end of the 2‑year follow‑up (β=-2.17, 95% CI: -3.95 to -0.39, P=0.017), but positively associated with ΔeGFR (β=3.01, 95% CI: 1.16 to 4.86, P=0.001) and non‑rapid eGFR decline (OR=2.34, 95% CI: 1.18 to 4.65, P=0.015). Conclusion In general adult male, there is a complex bidirectional association between serum OC level and eGFR: baseline serum OC level is independently negatively associated with baseline eGFR, while higher baseline OC levels are associated with a greater rebound in eGFR from baseline at the 2‑year follow‑up and a lower risk of rapid eGFR decline, and a history of hypertension may modulate this longitudinal association.