Interactions between breast, bone, and brain regulate mineral and skeletal metabolism during lactation

JJ Wysolmerski - Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, 2010 - Wiley Online Library
JJ Wysolmerski
Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, 2010Wiley Online Library
Mammalian reproduction requires that nursing mothers transfer large amounts of calcium to
their offspring through milk. As a result, lactation is associated with dramatic alterations in
bone and mineral metabolism, including reversible bone loss. One theme that has emerged
from recent studies examining these adaptations is that the lactating breast actively
participates in regulating bone and mineral metabolism. This review will detail our current
knowledge of interactions between the breast, skeleton, and hypothalamus during lactation …
Mammalian reproduction requires that nursing mothers transfer large amounts of calcium to their offspring through milk. As a result, lactation is associated with dramatic alterations in bone and mineral metabolism, including reversible bone loss. One theme that has emerged from recent studies examining these adaptations is that the lactating breast actively participates in regulating bone and mineral metabolism. This review will detail our current knowledge of interactions between the breast, skeleton, and hypothalamus during lactation and will consider implications that this reproductive physiology has for the pathophysiology of osteoporosis and breast cancer.
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