G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) coupled to activation of Gs, such as the PTH1 receptor (PTH1R), have long been known to regulate skeletal function and homeostasis. However, the role of GPCRs coupled to other G proteins such as Gi is not well established. We used the tet-off system to regulate the expression of an activated Gi-coupled GPCR ("Ro1") in osteoblasts in vivo. Skeletal phenotypes were assessed in mice expressing Ro1 from conception, from late stages of embryogenesis, and post-weaning. Long bones were assessed histologically and by micro-CT. Expression of Ro1 from conception resulted in neonatal lethality that was associated with reduced bone mineralization. Expression of Ro1 starting at late embryogenesis resulted in a severe trabecular bone deficit at 12 weeks of age (> 51% reduction in BV/TV in the proximal tibia compared to sex-matched control littermates; n = 11, p< 0.01). Ro1 expression for 8 weeks beginning at 4 weeks of age resulted in a > 20% reduction in trabecular BV/TV compared to sex-matched control littermates (n = 16, p < 0.01). Bone histomorphometry revealed that Ro1 expression is associated with reduced rates of bone formation and mineral apposition without a significant change in osteoblast or osteoclast surface. Our results indicate that signaling by a Gi-coupled GPCR in osteoblasts leads to osteopenia resulting from a reduction in trabecular bone formation. The severity of the phenotype is related to the timing and duration of Ro1 expression during growth and development. The skeletal phenotype in Ro1 mice bears some similarity to that produced by knockout of Gs-alpha expression in osteoblasts, and thus may be due at least in part to Gi-mediated inhibition of adenylyl cyclase.