How a mother's bones influence her baby's adrenal gland development

Regulation of adrenal development and function by the mother's skeleton

NIH-funded research Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences · NIH-11251435

This study is looking at how a protein from a mother’s bones, called osteocalcin, influences the growth and hormone production of her baby’s adrenal glands, using mice to learn more about the connection between a mother’s health and her child’s development.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionRutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Newark, UNITED STATES)
Project IDNIH-11251435 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates the role of a protein called osteocalcin, which comes from the mother's skeleton, in the development and function of the adrenal glands in her offspring. By using mouse models, the study aims to understand how maternal osteocalcin affects adrenal growth and hormone production during critical developmental stages. The researchers will explore the genetic and molecular mechanisms involved, focusing on how osteocalcin signals to the adrenal glands and the timing of its effects. This work could provide insights into the biological connections between maternal health and the endocrine system of the offspring.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are pregnant women or those planning to become pregnant, particularly those with concerns about bone health.

Not a fit: Patients who are not pregnant or do not have a direct interest in maternal-fetal health may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new strategies for preventing adrenal dysfunction in children by highlighting the importance of maternal bone health during pregnancy.

How similar studies have performed: While the specific focus on maternal osteocalcin and adrenal development is novel, similar research has shown that maternal health significantly impacts fetal development and endocrine function.

Where this research is happening

Newark, UNITED STATES

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.