Effects of Vitamin D During Pregnancy in Rat Mammary Carcinogenesis

Increase in obesity has shown a correlated increase in breast cancer, which has prompted research to better understand the interactions of hormonal factors with environmental ones. We will investigate the effects of obesity on estrogen dependent and estrogen independent tumor growth in N-Nitroso-N-methylurea (MNU) induced mammary tumors using rat models. These rat models will be under a strict diet in order to deduce the effects of these factors in their contribution to carcinogenesis. We hypothesize that a high level of vitamin D during pregnancy will show a decrease in the likelihood of cancer formation. Adiponectin and leptin are hormones produced in the adipose tissue that affect the metabolism of fat and glucose regulation. A number of studies have shown that decreased adiponectin and increased leptin are usually associated with obesity, atherosclerosis and insulin resistance. We will investigate the effects of these hormones on the regulation of mammary carcinogenesis and the mechanisms by which obesity influences mammary tumorigenesis.