Maternal Smoke during Pregnancy Programs for Bone Disturbance in Offspring

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Sungae Hospital, Seoul, Korea Objective: A number of epidemiological studies have reported that smoking causes a decrease in bone mineral density (BMD) and an increase in the risk of bone fracture, and is a risk factor for osteo porosis. Maternal smoking during pregnancy results in a variety of adverse developmental outcomes associated with intrauterine growth restriction. However, little is known about the effect of maternal smoking during pregnancy on BMD in the offspring. Methods: Pregnant CD1 mice were exposed to cigarette smoke (1 or 2 cigarettes/day, 5 days/week) (smoke group) or sham exposed (control group) throughout pregnancy. After delivery, nursing dams and offspring were kept together in individual cages. At 4 weeks, the fourth lumbar vertebral body of each offspring was scanned with a micro computed tomography apparatus. Trabecular parameters including bone volume fraction (bone volume/total volume, %), thickness (mm), number (1/mm), and separation (mm) were evaluated. The BMD was also measured. Results: No differences in the trabecular bone volume fraction, thickness, separation, and number and the BMD were observed between the offspring of the control and 1 cigarette smoking dams. However, trabecular bone volume fraction, thickness, number, and the BMD were significantly lower, whereas trabecular separation was higher in the offspring of 2 cigarette smoking dams compared with those of the offspring from control dams. Conclusion: Maternal smoking during pregnancy decreased BMD and altered bone microarchitecture in the offspring. These results will become a great source to inform the importance of quitting smoking during pregnancy.