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Paternal skeletal size predicts intrauterine bone mineral accrual

N C Harvey1, M K Javaid, J R Poole

  • 1Medical Research Council Epidemiology Resource Centre, University of Southampton, and Southampton General Hospital, Southampton, United Kingdom.

The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism
|February 21, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Fathers’ bone mass significantly predicts their daughters’ bone size and density, independent of maternal factors. This paternal influence on skeletal development is stronger in female infants than in males.

Area of Science:

  • Human genetics
  • Pediatrics
  • Bone health

Background:

  • Maternal factors influence neonatal bone accrual.
  • Paternal determinants of neonatal bone mass remain largely unknown.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the relationship between paternal bone mass and offspring bone mass.
  • To explore parental determinants of neonatal bone mass.

Main Methods:

  • 278 pregnancies were recruited from the Southampton Women's Survey.
  • Neonates and fathers underwent whole body dual-x-ray absorptiometry (DXA).
  • Correlation and regression analyses were used.

Main Results:

  • Significant positive associations were found between paternal and female infant bone indices (bone area, bone mineral content, bone mineral density).
  • These associations were independent of maternal height and fat stores.
  • Associations were not statistically significant for male infants.

Conclusions:

  • Paternal skeletal size predicts offspring skeletal size more strongly in female than male infants.
  • Paternal genotype is important in understanding the developmental origins of osteoporotic fracture.
  • Gender-specific influences on intrauterine bone accrual warrant further investigation.
Abstract

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