Effects of estrogen deficiency during puberty on maxillary and mandibular growth and associated gene expression - an mu CT study on rats

Author(s):Show less -

Kuechler, Erika Calvano ^{[1, 2]} ; de Lara, Rafaela Mariana ; Omori, Marjorie Ayumi ^[2] ; Maranon-Vasquez, Guido ^[2] ; Baratto-Filho, Flares ^[3] ; Nelson-Filho, Paulo ^[2] ; Stuani, Maria Bernadete Sasso ^[2] ; Blanck-Lubarsch, Moritz ^[4] ; Schroeder, Agnes ^[1] ; Proff, Peter ^[1] ; Kirschneck, Christian ^[1]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Regensburg, Dept Orthodont, Franz Josef Strauss Allee 11, D-93053 Regensburg - Germany

^[2] Univ Sao Paulo, Dept Pediat Dent, Sch Dent Ribeirao Preto, Ave Cafe, BR-14040904 Ribeirao Preto, SP - Brazil

^[3] Univille Univ, Sch Dent, BR-89219710 Joinville, SC - Brazil

^[4] Univ Munster, Dept Orthodont, Albert Schweitzer Campus 1, Bldg W30, D-48149 Munster - Germany

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Head & Face Medicine; v. 17, n. 1 APR 22 2021.
• Web of Science Citations: 0

Abstract

Background Estrogen is a well-known and important hormone involved in skeletal homeostasis, which regulates genes involved in bone biology. Some studies support that estrogen is important for craniofacial growth and development. Therefore this in vivo animal study aimed to investigate, whether and in which way low estrogen levels in the prepubertal period affect craniofacial development in the postpubertal stage and to quantify the gene expression of RANK, RANKL and OPG in cranial growth sites in ovariectomized estrogen-deficient rats during puberty. Methods Control (sham-operated, n = 18) and ovariectomy (OVX, n = 18) surgeries were performed on 21-days-old female Wistar rats. Animals euthanized at an age of 45 days (pubertal stage) were used for gene expression analyses (n = 6 per group) and immunohistochemistry of RANK, RANKL and OPG. Animals euthanized at 63 days of age (post-pubertal stage) were used for craniofacial two-dimensional and three-dimensional craniofacial measurements using mu CT imaging (n = 12 per group). Results In the mu CT analysis of the mandible and maxilla many statistically significant differences between sham-operated and OVX groups were observed, such as increased maxillary and mandibular bone length in OVX animals (p < 0.05). Condylar volume was also significantly different between groups (p < 0.05). The sham-operated group showed a higher level of RANK expression in the midpalatal suture (p = 0.036) and the RANKL:OPG ratio levels were higher in the OVX group (p = 0.015). Conclusions Our results suggest that estrogen deficiency during the prepubertal period is associated with alterations in the maxillary and mandibular bone length and condylar growth. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 15/06866-5 - Evaluation of the role of estrogen in dentofacial development
• Grantee: Erika Calvano Kuchler
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Young Investigators Grants