Mechanical Regulation of the Maternal Skeleton during Reproduction and Lactation

This review summarizes recently published data on the effects of pregnancy and lactation on bone structure, mechanical properties, and mechano-responsiveness in an effort to elucidate how the balance between the structural and metabolic functions of the skeleton is achieved during these physiological processes. While pregnancy and lactation induce significant changes in bone density and structure to provide calcium for fetal/infant growth, the...