Our laboratory pursues two main lines of study. In the first, we study the role of sex hormones in modulating endothelial function and how endothelium and smooth muscle-derived substances alter vascular reactivity during pregnancy. Further, we are investigating the effect of chronic sex hormone replacement on vascular function and gene expression.
Pregnancy causes profound changes in the cardiovascular system.
Both maternal intravascular blood volume and cardiac output increase and blood flow is redistributed to organs whose functions are crucial for a successful outcome. After delivery, the cardiovascular system readapts to its prepregnancy state. The mechanisms mediating these profound cardiovascular adaptations are poorly understood but are likely mediated by hormonal modulation of gene expression during the gestational period. In the second main line of investigation, we seek the mechanism by which uterine quiescence is maintained during pregnancy. For both areas of study, we utilize several methodologies such as enzymatic assays, reverse transcriptase PCR, quantitative PCR, ribonuclease protection assay, Northern and Western blotting, and in situ hybridization.