Mechanical Regulation of the Maternal Skeleton during Reproduction and Lactation

AbstractPurpose of reviewThis review summarizes recently published data on the effects of pregnancy and lactation on bone structure, mechanical properties, and mechano-responsiveness in an effort to elucidate how the balance between the structural and metabolic functions of the skeleton is achieved during these physiological processes.Recent findingsWhile pregnancy and lactation induce significant changes in bone density and structure to provide calcium for fetal/infant growth, the maternal physiology also comprises several innate compensatory mechanisms that allow for the maintenance of skeletal mechanical integrity. Both clinical and animal studies suggest that pregnancy and lactation lead to adaptations in cortical bone structure to allow for rapid calcium release from the trabecular compartment while maintaining whole bone stiffness and strength. Moreover, extents of lactation-induced bone loss and weaning-induced recovery are highly dependent on a given bone ’s load-bearing function, resulting in better protection of the mechanical integrity at critical load-bearing sites. The recent discovery of lactation-induced osteocytic perilacunar/canalicular remodeling (PLR) indicates a new means for osteocytes to modulate mineral homeostasis and tissue-level m echanical properties of the maternal skeleton. Furthermore, lactation-induced PLR may also play an important role in maintaining the maternal skeleton’s load-bearing capacity by altering osteocyte’s microenvironment a...
Source: Current Osteoporosis Reports - Category: Orthopaedics Source Type: research