Menopause is a point in time 12 months after a woman’s last period, often occurring in the late 40’s or early 50’s. During this time, levels of estrogen, the key regulator of bone metabolism, significantly drop. As a result, menopause and the accompanying loss of ovarian estrogens are associated with declines in bone mineral density. Reduced bone mass is called osteopenia, the less severe form of the disease, osteoporosis. 1 in 4 women over the age of 65 have significant osteoporosis. Therefore, there is presently a need for improved products and methods of treatment and prevention of bone density loss. One hormone that significantly plays a role in estrogen production and bone resorption in post-menopausal women is follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). Dr. Rajendra Kumar from the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology has found that pituitary and serum levels of FSH change with aging and that aging also changes the glycosylation signature on FSH. During young and normal reproductive cycles, women produce mostly hypo-glycosylated FSH, whereas older women produce predominantly fully -glycosylated FSH. Therefore, the inventors believe treatment with hypo-glycosylated FSH would be efficacious in preventing bone density loss in post-menopausal women.
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