Figure 3
The expression of ER α (a, b, c, d), ER β (e, f, g, h) and aromatase (i, j, k, l) in the middle and posterior regions of mandibular condylar cartilage. (a, e, i) The expression of ERα, ERβ and aromatase in condylar cartilage from 4-wk male control subgroup. (b, f, j) The expression of ERα, ERβ and aromatase in condylar cartilage from 4-wk female control subgroup. (c, g, k) The expression of ERα, ERβ and aromatase in condylar cartilage from 4-wk male experimental subgroup. (d, h, l) The expression of ERα, ERβ and aromatase in condylar cartilage from 4-wk female experimental subgroup. Immunoreactivity of ERα, ERβ and aromatase was observed in hypertrophic and mature layers of condylar cartilage. As arrows showed, no or weak immunoreactivity was found in degraded or disarranged areas. Scale bar is 100μm in Figure1a-1l.