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The influence of hormonal changes during pregnancy on bone metabolism - a mini review

Anna Brona1, Barbara Stachowska1, Marek Bolanowski1

  • 1Department and Clinic of Endocrinology and Internal Medicine, Wrocław Medical University, Wrocław, Poland.

Frontiers in Endocrinology
|July 3, 2026
PubMed

During pregnancy, the maternal endocrine system undergoes a profound hormonal transformation to support fetal development. Although these changes are essential, they significantly affect maternal bone metabolism and may result in a rare but serious condition known as Pregnancy and Lactation-Associated Osteoporosis (PLO). Despite the change in maternal hormone production, there is a new player - a placenta, which makes a substantial contribution to the bone remodeling process. Most publications address the influence of parathyroid hormone, prolactin, and growth hormone. However, data on the interactions between other hormones and skeletal system cells remain limited. Our mini-review focuses on the mechanism by which hormones influence the activity of osteoclasts and osteoblasts.

Keywords:
ACTHIGF-1PTHrPTSHcortisolestrogengrowth hormoneprolactin

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