Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 20, 2026
The Creation of a Rat Model for Osteosarcopenia via Ovariectomy
Published on: February 21, 2025
Bone mass acquisition in female rhythmic gymnasts during puberty: no direct role for leptin
Laurent Maïmoun1, Olivier Coste, Audrey Jaussent
1Service d'Hormonologie, Hôpital Lapeyronie, Montpellier, France.
Objectives:
Although hypoleptinaemia has been reported in female peripubertal athletes, data are lacking on leptin and bone mass variations in puberty and the effects of leptin on bone mineralization during this period. This study therefore investigated the variations in leptin level and bone mineral density (BMD) in young elite female rhythmic gymnasts (FRG) according to pubertal stage. The effects of leptin, IGF-1 and sex hormones on bone mineral acquisition were also evaluated.
Patients And Measurements:
Plasma leptin levels were analysed in 43 elite FRG (mean age: 13.3 +/- 1.8 years range: 10.6-17.2, body mass index: 17.52 +/- 1.85 kg/m(2), training status: 17.9-23.8 h/week) according to their pubertal stage (Tanner I, n = 7; II, n = 10; III, n = 9; IV, n = 8; V, n = 9). IGF-1, IGFBP-3 and sex hormones were also evaluated. BMD was measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry at various bone sites.
Results:
Plasma leptin increased throughout pubertal growth and the values measured in Tanner stages IV-V were significantly higher than in stages I-II. Gains in BMD were measured throughout puberty at all bone sites, particularly between Tanner stages II and IV. In simple correlation analysis, BMD at all bone sites was positively correlated with plasma leptin, age, bone age, BMI, oestrogen, testosterone, IGF-1 and IGFBP-3. However, multivariate analysis using a linear regression model by block (including bone age, anthropometric data and biological parameters) was then performed to determine the factors independently associated with each BMD site, and only bone age, fat-free soft tissue and BMI remained independent predictors.
Conclusion:
In FRG characterized by high training volume and low fat mass, plasma leptin levels increased throughout puberty and were partially related to body composition changes. Despite the simultaneous increases in plasma leptin and BMD during pubertal growth, it was not possible to differentiate the leptin impact on bone independently from anthropometric parameters.
Related Concept Videos
01:27Signs of Puberty
01:29Bone Disorders
Bone deposition is also affected by the levels of sex hormones like estrogen and testosterone that promote osteoblast activity and bone matrix synthesis. When the level of these hormones decreases due to aging, it causes a reduction in bone deposition. As a result, bone resorption by osteoclasts...
01:17Hormones and Bone Tissue
Hormones That Influence Osteoblasts and/or Maintain the Matrix
Several hormones are necessary for controlling bone growth and maintaining the bone matrix. The pituitary gland secretes growth hormone (GH), which, as its name implies, controls bone growth. This happens in several ways: first, it triggers chondrocyte...
01:09Changes in the Appendicular Skeleton with Age
Initially, the limb buds consist of a core of mesenchyme covered by a layer of ectoderm. The ectoderm at the end of the limb bud thickens to form a narrow crest called the apical ectodermal ridge. This ridge stimulates the underlying...
01:22Hormonal Regulation of the Menstrual Cycle
At puberty, GnRH begins a pulsatile release pattern, which triggers the anterior pituitary gland to secrete follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH). The frequency and amplitude of GnRH pulses vary across the menstrual cycle, with faster pulses favoring LH release and slower pulses favoring FSH release.
01:28Anorexia Nervosa
Symptoms and Physical Effects
Individuals with anorexia nervosa commonly exhibit extreme...