Serum estradiol level in the control, OVX, US and ERT groups. *P<0.05 vs. control group; #P<0.05 vs. OVX group at week 10. No significant difference among the four groups at week 0. Values are expressed as the mean ± standard deviation (n=7). OVX, ovariectomized; US, ultrasound; ERT, estrogen replacement therapy.