Oestrogen has long been implicated in how we manage our weight, and is often seen to be protective against obesity. However, our understanding of this sex hormone’s direct role is lacking.

Saavedra-Peña et al. have shown that a deletion in oestrogen receptor-α (ERα) from adipocytes does not affect adipose or fat mass in male or female mice. This is regardless of diet. What is interesting, however, is that loss of this receptor in early precursor cells does lead to exacerbated obesity when on a high fat diet.

This study illustrates the intricacies and difficulties in studying hormones in model animals, and should be explored for the authors’ robust attempt at solving a long-held mystery.

Read the full article in Journal of Molecular Endocrinology 68 179–194