Fetal programming and the etiology of osteoporosis
Pieńkowski, W.; Wolski, H.; Drews, K.; Seremak-Mrozikiewicz, A.
Ginekologia Polska 86(8): 622-625
2015
ISSN/ISBN: 0017-0011 PMID: 26492712 Document Number: 679063
Osteoporosis is a multifactorial skeletal disorder characterized by low bone mass and microarchitectural deterioration of bone tissue, resulting in increased risk of fracture. Peak bone mass is an important predictor of later risk of osteoporosis. Epidemiological studies revealed that the risk of osteoporosis might be modified by exposure to environmental factors during intrauterine life and early postnatal period. This review summarizes the influence of fetal programming on the development of osteoporosis based on the epidemiological studies and potential mechanisms of epigenetic regulation of gene expression.