FIGURE 6.

Dicer^f/f mice cause mild osteoporosis because of impaired osteoclast formation and activation. A, dicer protein expression levels were analyzed by immunoblotting using whole cell extracts. IB, immunoblotting. B, histological analysis using TRAP stain of femur from three-month-old Dicer^wt/wt and Dicer^f/f mice. C, histomorphometric analysis. The parameters are measured in the distal femur of 3-month-old Dicer^wt/wt and Dicer^f/f mice. The data are expressed as the means ± S.D. of five or six mice of each genotype. BV/TV, bone volume; Tb.N, trabecular number; Tb.Th, trabecular thickness; Tb.Sp, trabecular separation; Oc.N/BS, osteoclast number; Oc.S/BS, osteoclast surface; ES/BS, eroded surface; Ob.N/BS, Osteoblast number; Ob.S/BS, osteoblast surface.