Enormous advances have occurred in the understanding of the molecular and cellular mechanisms responsible for both collateral development (collaterogenesis*) and atherogenesis. This advancement has been accompanied by parallel advances in therapies designed to enhance collaterals and to inhibit the development and progression of atherosclerosis. Our laboratory has been interested in both areas,...

PREVIOUS studies from this department demonstrated that exogenous estrogens protected cockerels against cholesterol-induced coronary atherogenesis." Further, mature, egg-producing hens, intact or oviduct-ligated, were also markedly resistant to the development of diet-induced coronary lesions. It was postulated that this protection was a resultant of the endogenous, physiologic estrogen secreti...