[Bone metabolisms of aromatase-knockout mice in male]

Aromatase converts androgen to estrogen as the sole enzyme that related bone metabolism as well as gonadal-genesis. We previously discovered aromatase-knockout (ArKO) mice showed bone loss that associated with increasing bone resorption was seen in both female and male mice. This is suggesting essential roles of estrogen for bone metabolism in both of gender. When male ArKO mice were orchidectomized (ORX) to induce a complete deficiency of both estrogen and androgen, ORX/ArKO showed severe osteopenia. The complexities for use of estrogen and androgen in bone metabolisms may have distinct or synergistic roles of bone turnover in female and male mice before/after reaching to sexual maturity.