Oral Contraceptives Use by Young Women Reduces Peak Bone Mass
Abstract
The goal of these studies was to determine the role that hypoandrogenemia plays in the effects of oral contraceptives (OC) on bone metabolism and peak bone mass (PBM) in young female rats. Adolescent/young adult Sprague-Dawley rats were treated with: (1) placebo, (2) OC, (3) OC supplemented with an androgen (methyltestosterone), or (4) an anti-androgen (bicalutamide) to determine the potential role that suppression of androgens plays on bone metabolism, bone architecture, and the attainment of PBM. Our specific aims were to determine: (1) If oral contraceptive steroid (OC) treatment leads to decreased peak bone mass in young intact female rats. Findings: OC use decreased the peak bone mass of young intact female rats. (2) If the addition of a non-aromatizable androgenic steroid to OCs prevents the detrimental effects of OC use on peak bone mass. Findings: The non-aromatizable androgenic steroid did not prevent the adverse effects of OCs to the growing skeleton of young rats at the dose used. (3) If anti-androgen treatment mimics the effect of OC use on peak bone mass. Findings: The anti-androgen used did not mimic the adverse effect of OCs on the growing skeleton of young rats.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 01, 2001
- Accession Number
- ADA399147
Entities
People
- Thomas Register
Organizations
- Wake Forest School of Medicine