- Nutritional Physiology /
- Research /
- Projects /
- Baby-Bone
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Head of the Unit Nutritional Physiology
Ass.-Prof. Dr.sc.agr. Barbara Metzler-Zebeli
T +43 1 25077-3104
E-Mail
Secretary
Irene Nefischer
T +43 1 25077-4551
E-Mail
Opening hours: Mondy till Friday from 08:00 to 16:00 o'clock
Mailing address
Unit Nutritional Physiology
Veterinärplatz 1
1210 Vienna
Austria
Baby-Bone
Study of the role of fibroblast growth factor 23 for bone development in the neonatal phase using the animal model of suckling piglets
The hormone fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23) is produced in the bone and influences bone mineralization. The serum levels of FGF23 are distinctively higher during bone growth in children and decrease until the completion of bone growth in adults, however the role of FGF23 for bone development is not elucidated. FGF23 is an important regulator of calcium and phosphorus homeostasis next to the hormones vitamin D and parathormone. Hence, FGF23 is the link between bone mineralization and calcium and phosphorus homeostasis.
The project “Baby-Bone” aims to determine the connection between bone development, production of FGF23 in the bone and the hormone level of FGF23 in serum during the early growth phase after birth in piglets.
Due to the great similarities between bone development in humans and pigs the gained knowledge from studies in pigs are transferable for humans. A better understanding of this relationship will enhance our understanding of the hormonal regulation of bone growth during the early phase of development and further improve the use of FGF23 as diagnostic marker in the juvenile bone development.