Modifying Action of Estrogen on the Evolution of Osteoarthrosis in Mice of Different Ages

Abstract

Estradiol benzoate was administered in weekly doses of 0.03 mg to growing, young adult, and old male mice of strain C57BL Jax6 for a period of 5 months, in order to study the effect of this hormone on aging cartilage and the evolution of osteoarthrosis. If given during growth or early adulthood, the hormone inhibited the development of joint disease, whereas treatment late in life did not modify the course of the articular lesions. The observations suggest that the arthrosis-inhibiting effect of the injected estrogen was in part one of counteracting the endogenous testosterone, and in part due to a direct effect on the articular cartilage.