Correlation of kinetics and absorption of 47Ca with estrogen and hormonal ovarian function in postmenopause

The relationship between the metabolism of 47Ca bone kinetics and intestinal absorption with estrogen and hormonal ovarian function in physiologic and artificial postmenopause has been studied. The augmented exchangeable pool of calcium in bone is related to the duration of postmenopause and estradiol values. The time from menopause/oophorectomy includes all changes occurring in postmenopause, so other undefined factors, besides estrogens, are seemingly indispensable for postmenopausal changes of calcium kinetics. The diminished calcium absorption and augmented exchangeable pool of calcium correlate only with the absence of ovaries and not with estrogen levels in physiologic and artificial postmenopause. It seems that the total hormonal and especially ovarian function in postmenopause cannot be neglected, and although estrogens are important, they are not the sole etiologic factor in postmenopausal changes in calcium metabolism.