Estrogen Receptor-Alpha and Estrogen Receptor-Beta Are Present in the Human Growth Plate in Childhood and Adolescence, in Identical Distribution

Abstract

Our findings indicate that the hypertrophic chondrocyte is the main target cell for estrogen action within the growth plate. The presence of ER in prepubertal children suggests that estrogens play a role in skeletal maturation under physiological conditions also in this age-group.