Pharmacological Estrogen Administration Causes a FSH-Independent Osteo-Anabolic Effect Requiring ER Alpha in Osteoblasts
Figure 3
Estrogen treatment at pharmacologic doses increases osteoblast function independent of FSH.
A) Fluorescent micrographs of non-decalcified spine (top) and tibia sections (bottom) of Fshb+/+ and Fshb−/− mice 4 weeks after sham operation (−E2) or implantation of an estrogen pellet (+E2). B) Quantification of number of osteoblasts per bone perimeter (N.Ob/BPm), bone formation rate per bone surface (BFR/BS) and mineral apposition rate (MAR) in Fshb+/+ and Fshb−/− mice. C) Quantification of number of osteoclasts per bone perimeter (N.Oc/BPm) and serum levels of collagen degradation products (Crosslaps) in the same groups. All data represent mean ± SD from at least 5 mice per group. *p<0.05 versus untreated control of each genotype.