Norgestimate and medroxyprogesterone acetate do not attenuate the atheroprotective effects of 17β-estradiol in ovariectomized, apolipoprotein E–deficient mice  Jennifer M. Shultz, Ph.D., Xiao Dong Zhu, M.D., Robert H. Knopp, M.D., Renee C. LeBoeuf, Ph.D., Michael E. Rosenfeld, Ph.D.  Fertility and Sterility  Volume 82, Pages 1133-1139 (October 2004) DOI: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2004.05.069 Copyright © 2004 American Society for Reproductive Medicine Terms and Conditions

FIGURE 1 Treatment groups. Animals were ovariectomized or sham-operated at 5–6 weeks of age and received one of nine hormone pellets or placebo. Sixty-day time-release pellets were used and were placed SC into the backs of all animals. Sample sizes ranged from 7 to 10 animals per group. Fertility and Sterility 2004 82, 1133-1139DOI: (10.1016/j.fertnstert.2004.05.069) Copyright © 2004 American Society for Reproductive Medicine Terms and Conditions

FIGURE 2 Effects of hormone treatment on cross-sectional area of fatty streaks. Effects of 8 weeks of estrogen, combined estrogen + progestin, or placebo treatment on lesion area in the aortic sinus of ovariectomized or sham-operated apoE−/− mice. Lesion area was measured by computer-assisted morphometry, and a minimum of 12 heart sections per animal were measured and averaged. Values are means ± SEM. *Significant at P≤.01 relative to all other treatment groups. Fertility and Sterility 2004 82, 1133-1139DOI: (10.1016/j.fertnstert.2004.05.069) Copyright © 2004 American Society for Reproductive Medicine Terms and Conditions

FIGURE 3 Plasma total cholesterol correlates with size of lesion area. Total plasma cholesterol at week 8. Regression analysis was used to determine r values for total cholesterol versus lesion area from each animal (overall r = 0.41; P≤.001). Fertility and Sterility 2004 82, 1133-1139DOI: (10.1016/j.fertnstert.2004.05.069) Copyright © 2004 American Society for Reproductive Medicine Terms and Conditions

FIGURE 4 A, Effects of combined hormone therapy on total body weight. Effects of 8 weeks of estrogen, combined estrogen + progestin, or placebo (PL) treatment on total body weight in ovariectomized (OVX) or sham-operated, apoE−/− mice. Values are means ± SEM. *Significant difference at P≤.01 as compared with all of the other treatment groups. **Significant difference as compared with groups receiving E2 plus 5 ng/day norgestimate (NGM), E2 plus 180 ng/day NGM, and ovx + PL at P≤.05. B, Effects of combined hormone therapy on adipose tissue weight. Effects of 8 weeks of estrogen, estrogen + progestin, or placebo treatment on adipose depot weight in ovariectomized or sham-operated apoE−/− mice. Values are means ± SEM. Significant difference at P≤.05 as compared with all other treatment groups. Fertility and Sterility 2004 82, 1133-1139DOI: (10.1016/j.fertnstert.2004.05.069) Copyright © 2004 American Society for Reproductive Medicine Terms and Conditions