Reproductive phenotypes in the estrogen receptor-alpha knockout mouse

The generation and initial characterizations of the ER alpha KO and has pro ved exciting, however, it is worth noting that this model is relatively new to the field. These mice will undoubtedly prove invaluable to future studi es of steroid hormones in normal development and function. The ER alpha KO mouse has been and continues to be utilized to further study the role of es trogen action in the cardiovascular system [44, 25, 26, 22], bone physiolog y [30], behavior [40, 43], the immune system [49], neurophysiology [47, 48] , and adipogenesis [51]. Furthermore, studies of the documented << non-geno mic >> effects of estradiol and progesterone in the brain [36] as well as l igand-independent actions involving cross-talk with other signaling systems will be advanced with further investigations using the ER alpha KO mouse. And finally, the ER alpha KO in combination with the recently developed ER beta KO mouse [31] will prove invalable in distinguishing the different rol es that may exist between the two receptors in the estrogen signaling syste m.