Leylan Kazi
Research Mentor(s): Brigid Gregg
Mentor Department: Pediatrics
Authors:
Session: Session 3 (11:00am – 11:50am)
Presentation Type: Poster 18
Abstract
This research focuses on understanding how genetic factors influence bone health during lactation, specifically by studying bone density and bone marrow adipose tissue (BMAT) in mice with targeted deletions of the adipose triglyceride lipase (ATGL) and oxytocin receptor (OXTR) genes. Lactation induces significant physiological changes, including temporary bone loss, but the genetic mechanisms regulating these changes remain poorly understood. In these mouse models there may be an impaired ability to harvest fat from the bone during lactation. This impacts how minerals are harvested from the bones. Both fat and bone minerals are vital in providing nutrients in the milk for growing offspring. Investigating how the absence of these genes impacts bone metabolism aims to provide insights into the interactions between maternal bone density, BMAT, and reproductive states. We hypothesize that mothers with ATGL and OXTR mutations will retain high bone marrow fat during lactation, when it would typically decrease, and will have impaired calcium mobilization from the skeleton, reducing pup bone density. The experimental approach involves conducting detailed microCT analysis to assess bone density and structural changes in the femur in both the mother and offspring. Additional methods will include measuring BMAT adipose mass and adipocyte size and other bone metabolism related markers in the blood and in the milk. The findings from these analyses will help clarify the role of ATGL and OXTR in bone adaptation during lactation and may contribute to a deeper understanding of long-term skeletal health risks for lactating individuals. This research addresses a critical gap in current knowledge about bone metabolism, with potential implications for maternal health and bone disorder treatments. BMAT and bone density play vital roles in overall health, uncovering how harvesting of the fat from the bone impacts the ability of the mother to harvest bone minerals.
