Polymorphisms of the vitamin D receptor, infant growth, and adult bone mass

Family and twin studies have demonstrated a strong genetic component to the development of peak bone mass. Early fetal and infant environment has also been shown to influence bone mass through an effect on skeletal size and mineral content. We report a retrospective study that has examined whether e...

Full description

Saved in:

Bibliographic Details
Published in:	Calcified tissue international 1997-03, Vol.60 (3), p.233-235
Main Authors:	Keen, R W, Egger, P, Fall, C, Major, P J, Lanchbury, J S, Spector, T D, Cooper, C
Format:	Article
Language:	eng
Subjects:	Absorptiometry, Photon Aged Bone Density - genetics Bone Development - genetics Bones Child Development Female Genotype Humans Infant Middle Aged Osteoporosis Polymorphism, Genetic - genetics Random Allocation Receptors, Calcitriol - genetics Reference Values Retrospective Studies Vitamin D
Online Access:	Get full text
Tags:	Add Tag No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!

Description
Summary:	Family and twin studies have demonstrated a strong genetic component to the development of peak bone mass. Early fetal and infant environment has also been shown to influence bone mass through an effect on skeletal size and mineral content. We report a retrospective study that has examined whether early infant growth is regulated by genetic factors shown to be associated with bone mass. We have determined the vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene alleles for 66 women (mean age 65.5 years) on whom detailed birth records were available. There was a statistically significant trend (P = 0.04) for VDR genotype against weight at the age of 1 year, with the "tt" homozygote group having 7% higher weight. We conclude that early fetal or infant environment may interact with an individual's underlying genotype to program early skeletal growth, and that this may track through later life to influence adult characteristics. Further prospective studies are required, however, to fully clarify the precise environmental and genetic mechanisms underlying these findings.
ISSN:	0171-967X 1432-0827