Abstract

As women age and transition into menopause they face a higher risk of developing osteoarthritis leading to total joint replacements. Estrogen is the primary female reproductive hormone. As a woman approaches menopause, estrogen production decreases by 100-fold. Previous research has shown that Estrogen Replacement Therapy (ERT) reduced joint replacements in post-menopausal women. However, there is a lack of research surrounding ERT's effect on chondrocyte proliferation and extracellular matrix production, particularly 3D culture extracellular matrix production. Chondrogenesis is a process of skeletal development resulting in the formation of cartilage. Chondrocytes, derived from mesenchymal progenitors, serve as the fundamental cellular component in the development of articular cartilage, facilitating smooth joint movement. This thesis examines female articular cartilage in both 2D growth assessment and using 3D aggregates with and without arthritis-like inflammatory conditions. Estrogen seems to have minimal effect on growth, metabolic activity, and extracellular matrix production. Healthy and pre-exposed osteoarthritic cartilage donors indicate some variability within the data. Overall, this project allowed us to further elucidate the mechanism of estrogen hormone replacement therapy utilizing healthy and osteoarthritic samples.

Thesis Completion

2023

Semester

Fall

Thesis Chair/Advisor

Kean, Thomas

Co-Chair

Hawthorne, Alicia

Degree

Bachelor of Science (B.S.)

College

College of Medicine

Department

Burnett School of Biomedical Sciences

Degree Program

Biomedical Sciences

Language

English

Access Status

Open Access

Release Date

12-15-2023

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