title: Social networking between cells of the foetal skeleton: the importance of thyroid hormones.
abstract: In this issue of Journal of Endocrinology, Lanham et al. investigated the effects of hypothyroidism on the developing skeleton of the ovine foetus in utero. Their analyses indicated that, following thyroidectomy, bone growth, structure and mechanical properties were all altered at late gestation or at term. Adrenalectomy, whilst preventing the prepartum rise in triiodothyronine, did not modify skeletal development. The hypothyroid-mediated skeletal defects of the developing foetus described in this study may have clinical implications for bone health in later life.
authors.affiliation: Bone Biology Group, The Roslin Institute, Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH25 9RG, UK. colin.farquharson@roslin.ed.ac.uk
authors.forename: Colin
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Farquharson
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001846:Bone Development / Q000502:physiology*; D002450:Cell Communication / Q000502:physiology*; D047109:Fetal Development / Q000502:physiology*; D013963:Thyroid Hormones / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D013963:Thyroid Hormones