The hypoxia inducible factors(Hifs) are evolutionarily conserved transcriptional factors that control homeostatic responses to low oxygen. In developing bone, Hif-1 generated signals induce angiogenesis necessary for osteoblast specification, but in mature bone, loss of Hif-1 in osteoblasts resulted in a more rapid accumulation of bone. These findings suggested that Hif-1 exerts distinct developmental functions and acts as a negative regulator of bone formation. To investigate the function of Hif-1a in osteoanabolic signaling, we assessed the effect of Hif-1a loss-of-function on bone formation in response to intermittent parathyroid hormone(PTH). Mice lacking Hif-1a in osteoblasts and osteocytes form more bone in response to PTH, likely through a larger increase in osteoblast activity and increased sensitivity to the hormone. Consistent with this effect, exposure of primary mouse osteoblasts to PTH resulted in the rapid induction of Hif-1a protein levels via a post-transcriptional mechanism. The enhanced anabolic response appears to result from the removal of Hif-1a-mediated suppression of b-catenin transcriptional activity. Together, these data indicate that Hif-1a functions in the mature skeleton to restrict osteoanabolic signaling. The availability of pharmacological agents that reduce Hif-1a function suggests the value in further exploration of this pathway to optimize the therapeutic benefits of PTH. The hypoxia inducible factors (Hifs) are evolutionarily conserved transcriptional factors that control homeostatic responses to low oxygen. In developing bone, Hif-1 generated signals induce angiogenesis necessary for osteoblast specification, but in mature bone, loss of Hif-1 in osteoblasts resulted in a investigate the function of Hif-1 in osteoanabolic signaling, we assessed the effect of Hif-1a loss- of-function on bone formation in response to intermittent parathyroid hormone (PTH). Mice lacking Hif-1a in osteoblasts and osteocytes form more bone in response to PTH, likely through a larger increase in osteoblast activity and increased sensitivity to the hormone. this effect, exposure of primary mouse osteoblasts to PTH resulted in the rapid induction of Hif-1a protein levels via a post-transcriptional mech The enhanced anabolic response appears to result from the removal of Hif-1a-mediated suppression of b-catenin transcriptional activity. Together, these data indicate that Hif-1a functions in the mature skeleton to restrict osteoanabolic signaling. The availability of pharmacological agents that reduce Hif-1a function suggests the value in further exploration of this pathway to optimize the therapeutic benefits of PTH.