Document Type
Open Access Thesis
Embargo Period
5-19-2015
Degree Program
Kinesiology
Degree Type
Master of Science (M.S.)
Year Degree Awarded
2015
Month Degree Awarded
May
Abstract
Heart disease is the leading cause of death in women in the United States. Premenopausal women appear to have better cardiac function and lower risk of heart disease compared to male postmenopausal female counterparts. Ovarian hormone loss influences blood pressure homeostasis and causes systemic inflammation, which may result in chronic stress on the heart. Two key physiological changes in cardiac dysfunction are reemergence of the fetal gene pattern and myocardial remodeling. Physical activity has been linked to improved cardiac function. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of ovariectomy on early markers of cardiac dysfunction and fibrosis and to determine if voluntary physical activity alters expression patterns in ovariectomized mice. We investigated the effects of ovariectomy and exercise on cardiac expression of fetal genes and markers and mediators of fibrosis in two cohorts of 8-10 week old female mice. Ovariectomized mice had greater expression of cardiac fetal genes and real time-PCR (RT-PCR) results indicated activation of the fibrosis pathway. Exercise was able to influence the expression of some markers of cardiac dysfunction. We concluded that ovarian hormone loss and associated physiological changes such as increased adiposity and systemic inflammation trigger early changes in cardiac gene expression that precede overt cardiac dysfunction.
First Advisor
Sarah Witkowski
Second Advisor
Barry Braun
Third Advisor
Edward Debold
Recommended Citation
Patel, Anisha S., "The Effects of Ovarian Hormones and Exercise on Gene Markers of Cardiac Dysfunction" (2015). Masters Theses. 225.
https://scholarworks.umass.edu/masters_theses_2/225
Included in
Biology Commons, Exercise Physiology Commons, Kinesiology Commons, Systems and Integrative Physiology Commons, Women's Health Commons