26th Annual Student Research Conference
Effects of Different Kinds and Durations of Exercise on Estrogen and Progesterone Levels
Megan L. Howard
Dr. Brian Snyder and Dr. Rachel L. Ruhlen (ATSU), Faculty Mentors
Sex hormones play an important role in breast cancer in humans. Women who exercise have reduced breast cancer incidence and lower estradiol. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of exercise on estradiol in rats, where we can control diet and lifestyle. We hypothesized that chronic endurance exercise would decrease sex hormones. To test the effect of chronic exercise, rats were given access to running wheels for a month. To test the immediate effect of exercise, rats were given access to running wheels for one day. Serum estradiol was determined by immunoassay. Rats in both the acute and chronic exercise group had lower estradiol than their sedentary counterparts, although this effect did not reach statistical significance. We will increase the sample size and examine the effects of exercise on progesterone, which also plays a role in breast cancer.
Keywords: estradiol, progesterone, sex hormones, acute exercise, chronic exercise, breast cancer
Topic(s):Exercise Science
Biology
Presentation Type: Poster
Session: 5-1
Location: GEO
Time: 3:30