Obesity and disturbed lipoprotein profile in estrogen receptor-alpha-deficient male mice.

• Clinical case reports have documented disturbances of carbohydrate and lipid metabolism in aromatase deficient and estrogen resistant males. The aim of the present study was to explore the metabolic functions of estrogens in male mice and to dissect the estrogen receptor (ER) specificity of such effects. Total body fat content and serum levels of leptin were followed in ERalpha knockout (ERKO), ERbeta knockout (BERKO), and ERalpha/beta double knockout (DERKO) mice. Neither the total body fat nor serum leptin levels were altered in any group before or during sexual maturation. However, after sexual maturation ERKO and DERKO, but not BERKO, demonstrated a clear increase in total body fat and enhanced serum leptin levels. Serum cholesterol was increased and a qualitative change in the lipoprotein profile, including smaller LDL particles, was observed in ERKO and DERKO mice. In conclusion, ERalpha but not ERbeta-inactivated male mice develop obesity after sexual maturation.

Keyword

Adipose Tissue

anatomy & histology

physiopathology

Animals

Cholesterol

blood

Crosses

Genetic

Estrogen Receptor alpha

Estrogen Receptor beta

Fatty Acids

Nonesterified

blood

Female

Heterozygote

Insulin

blood

Leptin

blood

Lipoproteins

blood

Male

Mice

Mice

Inbred C57BL

Mice

Knockout

Obesity

blood

genetics

physiopathology

Receptors

Estrogen

deficiency

genetics

physiology

Sexual Maturation

Triglycerides

blood

Publication and Content Type

ref (subject category)

art (subject category)