Elucidation of estrogen receptor function in bone with the use of mouse models.

[aromatase deficiency]

Since the discovery that estrogen receptors (ERs ) are present in bone cells , there has been intense research into the action of estrogen in bone . During the past decade , humans with disturbed estrogen signaling , either as a result of ER alpha or aromatase deficiency , have been reported . Furthermore , mouse models have been established with a deficiency of ER alpha , ER beta or both , in addition to deficiency of aromatase . This review focuses on data accumulated during the past three years from studies of knockout mice with impaired estrogen signaling resulting from ER or aromatase deficiency .