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American Journal of Pathology, Vol 87, 311-322, Copyright © 1977 by American Society for Investigative Pathology
REGULAR ARTICLES |
SE Weisbrode and CC Capen
To determine the direct effect of estrogen on bone cells, female rats were thyroparathyroidectomized and given either 200 microng of estradiol cypionate or placebo treatment for 4 to 30 days. After 8 days, an osteosclerosis of the tibial metaphysis developed in rats treated with estrogens. Osteoblasts in estrogen-treated rats were interpreted ultrastructurally to be less active in bone formation than controls. Osteocytes in estrogen-treated rats were inactive compared to osteocytes in control rats which were continuing the process of bone formation. Osteoclasts were decreased in numbers in rats treated with estrogen; however, the electron microscopic characteristics of osteoclasts did not differ from controls. These cellular changes were associated with a severe hypocalcemia in both estrogen-treated and control rats. Serum phosphorus and urinary hydroxyproline were lowered significantly by the administration of estrogen. It is concluded that metaphyseal osteosclerosis develops in estrogen-treated rats independent of parathyroid hormone and calcitonin. The osteoclerosis is due to an effect of estrogens to reduce osteoclast-numbers and a lesser inhibitory effect on the bone-forming activity of osteoblasts and osteocytes. (Am J Pathol 87:311-322, 1977).
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