The longitudinal growth of tibia in oestradiol-treated and restrictedly fed immature male rats

The effect of oestradiol administration and restricted feeding on longitudinal tibia growth was investigated in immature male rats. The restrictedly fed animals had a significantly longer tibia, greater thickness of the growth plate, faster rate of longitudinal tibial growth as well as the greater rate of [methyl-3H]thymidine incorporation into the growth plate of the tibia compared with oestradiol-treated animals. The results indicate that, in immature male rats, exogenous oestradiol can decrease the longitudinal growth of the tibia (at least partly due to inhibition of cell proliferation in the growth plate) independently of its anorexic effect.