In the appendicular skeleton, estrogen via ERα signalling has been shown to mediate endochondral growth plate fusion in both males and females. However, the role of ERα in mediating growth of the mandibular condylar cartilage is unknown. Thus, this study focuses on the characterization of the mandibular condylar cartilage phenotype in young and adult male ERαKO mice.
Is centrally induced alveolar bone loss in a large animal model preventable by peripheral hormone substitution?
Alveolar bone structures are mostly investigated in small animal models. The majority of these studies examined local influences on the alveolar bone, but only a few examined systemic influencing factors. The hypothalamic-pituitary axis is known to be essential for a vital bone balance. The aim of this study was to analyse the effects that selective hormone treatments have on alveolar bone structure and quality in a sheep model for alveolar bone loss, induced by hypothalamic-pituitary disconnection (HPD).
Estrogen Receptor beta mediates decreased occlusal loading induced inhibition of chondrocyte maturation in female mice
Objective Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders predominantly afflict women, suggesting that estrogen may play a role in the disease process. Defects in mechanical loading-induced TMJ remodeling are believed to be a major etiological factor in TMJ degenerative disease. Previously, we found that, decreased occlusal loading caused a significant decrease in early chondrocyte maturation markers (Sox9 and Col 2) in female, but not male, C57BL/6 wild type mice (1). The goal of this study was to examine the role of Estrogen Receptor (ER) beta in mediating these effects.