Effects of hypothyroidism on the structure and mechanical properties of bone in the ovine fetus
Effects of hypothyroidism on the structure and mechanical properties of bone in the ovine fetus
Thyroid hormones are important for normal bone growth and development in postnatal life. Little is known, however, about the role of thyroid hormones in the control of bone development in the fetus. Using computed-tomography and mechanical testing, the structure and strength of metatarsal bones were measured in sheep fetuses in which thyroid hormone levels were altered by thyroidectomy or adrenalectomy. In intact fetuses, plasma concentrations of total calcium and the degradation products of C-terminal telopeptides of Type I collagen increased between 100 and 144 days of gestation (term 145 ± 2 days), in association with various indices of bone growth and development. Thyroid hormone deficiency induced by thyroidectomy at 105-110 days of gestation caused growth retardation of the fetus and significant changes in metatarsal bone structure and strength when analysed at both 130 and 144 days of gestation. In hypothyroid fetuses, trabecular bone was stronger with thicker, more closely spaced trabeculae despite lower bone mineral density. Plasma osteocalcin was reduced by fetal thyroidectomy. Removal of the fetal adrenal gland at 115-120 days of gestation, and prevention of the prepartum rises in cortisol and triiodothyronine, had no effect on bodyweight, limb lengths, metatarsal bone structure or strength, or circulating markers of bone metabolism, in the fetuses studied near term. This study demonstrates that hypothyroidism in utero has significant effects on the structure and strength of bone, with different consequences for cortical and trabecular bone
Lanham, Stuart.
28fdbbef-e3b6-4fdf-bd0f-4968eeb614d6
Fowden, Abby L.
6f1bf520-1e5f-4b33-ae8f-5d4bbb060898
Roberts, Carol
c390d0c4-fb45-4293-89fe-119d1855b9aa
Cooper, Cyrus
e05f5612-b493-4273-9b71-9e0ce32bdad6
Oreffo, Richard O.C.
ff9fff72-6855-4d0f-bfb2-311d0e8f3778
Forhead, Alison J.
8ad02d28-a814-4b74-93ff-9c29a254019c
3 June 2011
Lanham, Stuart.
28fdbbef-e3b6-4fdf-bd0f-4968eeb614d6
Fowden, Abby L.
6f1bf520-1e5f-4b33-ae8f-5d4bbb060898
Roberts, Carol
c390d0c4-fb45-4293-89fe-119d1855b9aa
Cooper, Cyrus
e05f5612-b493-4273-9b71-9e0ce32bdad6
Oreffo, Richard O.C.
ff9fff72-6855-4d0f-bfb2-311d0e8f3778
Forhead, Alison J.
8ad02d28-a814-4b74-93ff-9c29a254019c
Lanham, Stuart., Fowden, Abby L., Roberts, Carol, Cooper, Cyrus, Oreffo, Richard O.C. and Forhead, Alison J.
(2011)
Effects of hypothyroidism on the structure and mechanical properties of bone in the ovine fetus.
Journal of Endocrinology.
(doi:10.1530/JOE-11-0138).
(PMID:21642376)
Abstract
Thyroid hormones are important for normal bone growth and development in postnatal life. Little is known, however, about the role of thyroid hormones in the control of bone development in the fetus. Using computed-tomography and mechanical testing, the structure and strength of metatarsal bones were measured in sheep fetuses in which thyroid hormone levels were altered by thyroidectomy or adrenalectomy. In intact fetuses, plasma concentrations of total calcium and the degradation products of C-terminal telopeptides of Type I collagen increased between 100 and 144 days of gestation (term 145 ± 2 days), in association with various indices of bone growth and development. Thyroid hormone deficiency induced by thyroidectomy at 105-110 days of gestation caused growth retardation of the fetus and significant changes in metatarsal bone structure and strength when analysed at both 130 and 144 days of gestation. In hypothyroid fetuses, trabecular bone was stronger with thicker, more closely spaced trabeculae despite lower bone mineral density. Plasma osteocalcin was reduced by fetal thyroidectomy. Removal of the fetal adrenal gland at 115-120 days of gestation, and prevention of the prepartum rises in cortisol and triiodothyronine, had no effect on bodyweight, limb lengths, metatarsal bone structure or strength, or circulating markers of bone metabolism, in the fetuses studied near term. This study demonstrates that hypothyroidism in utero has significant effects on the structure and strength of bone, with different consequences for cortical and trabecular bone
This record has no associated files available for download.
More information
Published date: 3 June 2011
Identifiers
Local EPrints ID: 192039
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/192039
PURE UUID: 95f437f3-9b2d-4f70-ab6f-3935c28286b6
Catalogue record
Date deposited: 29 Jun 2011 10:32
Last modified: 18 Mar 2024 02:51
Export record
Altmetrics
Contributors
Author:
Stuart. Lanham
Author:
Abby L. Fowden
Author:
Carol Roberts
Author:
Alison J. Forhead
Download statistics
Downloads from ePrints over the past year. Other digital versions may also be available to download e.g. from the publisher's website.
View more statistics