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Winter EM, Ireland A, Butterfield NC, Haffner-Luntzer M, Horcajada MN, Veldhuis-Vlug AG, Oei L, Colaianni G, Bonnet N. Pregnancy and lactation, a challenge for the skeleton. Endocr Connect 2020; 9:R143-R157. [PMID: 32438342 PMCID: PMC7354730 DOI: 10.1530/ec-20-0055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2020] [Accepted: 05/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
In this review we discuss skeletal adaptations to the demanding situation of pregnancy and lactation. Calcium demands are increased during pregnancy and lactation, and this is effectuated by a complex series of hormonal changes. The changes in bone structure at the tissue and whole bone level observed during pregnancy and lactation appear to largely recover over time. The magnitude of the changes observed during lactation may relate to the volume and duration of breastfeeding and return to regular menses. Studies examining long-term consequences of pregnancy and lactation suggest that there are small, site-specific benefits to bone density and that bone geometry may also be affected. Pregnancy- and lactation-induced osteoporosis (PLO) is a rare disease for which the pathophysiological mechanism is as yet incompletely known; here, we discuss and speculate on the possible roles of genetics, oxytocin, sympathetic tone and bone marrow fat. Finally, we discuss fracture healing during pregnancy and lactation and the effects of estrogen on this process.
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Affiliation(s)
- E M Winter
- Leiden University Medical Center, Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Center for Bone Quality, Leiden, the Netherlands
- Correspondence should be addressed to E M Winter:
| | - A Ireland
- Musculoskeletal Science and Sports Medicine Research Centre, Department of Life Sciences, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - N C Butterfield
- Molecular Endocrinology Laboratory, Department of Metabolism, Digestion and Reproduction, Imperial College London, Commonwealth Building, DuCane Road, London, United Kingdom
| | - M Haffner-Luntzer
- Institute of Orthopaedic Research and Biomechanics, University Medical Center Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | - M-N Horcajada
- Nestlé Research, Department of Musculoskeletal Health, Innovation EPFL Park, Lausanne, Switzerland.
| | - A G Veldhuis-Vlug
- Leiden University Medical Center, Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Center for Bone Quality, Leiden, the Netherlands
- Jan van Goyen Medical Center, Department of Internal Medicine, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - L Oei
- Department of Internal Medicine, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Epidemiology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - G Colaianni
- Department of Emergency and Organ Transplantation, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - N Bonnet
- Nestlé Research, Department of Musculoskeletal Health, Innovation EPFL Park, Lausanne, Switzerland.
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