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Aromatase, the product of the Cyp 19 gene, converts androgens to estrogens. The role of estrogens within the ovary has recently been revisited; using the aromatase knockout (ArKO) mouse, we investigated the effect of estrogen deficiency on ovarian function. We now have an aromatase overexpressing (AROM+) female mouse model with elevated levels of estrogens. These mice were fertile and bred with FVB/N wildtype (WT) males, the AROM+ male being infertile. In this study we characterised the reproductive phenotype of the female AROM+ mouse. 5 WT and 10 AROM+ mice, 22–27 weeks of age were used in the study. The mice were subject to vaginal smears and killed during estrus. The ovaries, uterine horns and gonadal fat were collected and weighed. One ovary and the uterine horns were fixed in formalin for histological assessment, while the other ovary was snap frozen in Ultraspec solution for RNA isolation and gene expression studies. Serum was collected for hormone measurements. All AROM+ mice exhibited an abnormal pattern of cycling that in general, alternated between estrus and post-estrus. AROM+ mice were significantly heavier than their WT counterparts (WT 35.28 ± 2.89 g v. AROM+ 43.38 ± 2.11 g, P < 0.05). Ovarian, uterine and gonadal fat pad weights were not significantly different between the 2 groups (ovary: WT 17.4 ± 1.14 mg v. AROM+ 17.9 ± 0.06 mg; uterine horns: WT 89.7 ± 11.40 mg v. AROM+ 92.1 ± 6.64 mg; gonadal fat pads: WT 2.47 ± 0.62 g v. AROM+ 3.46±0.26 g). Histological, gene expression and hormone analyses are in progress. Our preliminary analyses indicated no significant effect of excess estrogen on ovarian, uterine and gonadal fat pad weights, despite the AROM+ mice being heavier. It remains to be determined as to whether the ovaries and uterine horns are histologically normal. Supported by the NHMRC (Regkeys 241000, 338510, 198705)

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S163of 31 versus 4 of 5) and average age difference (53.1 versus 62.2) were close to statistical significance (p-value of 0.063 and 0.073 respectively). Overall, ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction (STEMI) was the main cause of presentation (21 of 36) and the left anterior descending artery was most commonly involved (18 of 36). Most cases were treated medically (27 of 36). Pre-specified analysis of females below 60 with ACS revealed SCAD patients (25 of 127) had lower rates of hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidaemia and smoking history than non-SCAD patients.Conclusion: SCAD affects a predominantly female population presenting with ACS, especially in patients below 60 with little or no cardiac risk factors.http://dx. Background and Objectives:Vitamin D deficiency is common with studies suggesting an increased risk of CAD in affected populations. The mechanism to explain this relationship is unknown. We evaluated the effect of vitamin D replacement on platelet and vascular function.Methods: In this randomised, single-centre, double-blind, placebo controlled trial, 37 patients with atherosclerotic disease and a serum Vitamin D 20-50mmol/L were recruited. Patients were randomised to 2000IU oral Cholecalciferol daily or placebo for 12 weeks duration. Vascular and platelet function tests were performed at baseline and on completion of treatment.Results: Ankle-Brachial Index (ABI) and Pulse Wave Velocity (PWV) showed no significant change at follow-up between groups (-0.01±0.22 vs 0.06±0.23 and 54.5±622m/sec vs -35.2±478m/sec in treatment vs placebo for ABI and PWV respectively, p>0.05).There was no change in Area under the curve (AUC) units with Light Transmittance Aggregometry (LTA) between groups (1.7±27 vs 2.6±23 and 2.3±17 vs 0.3±18 AUC units in treatment vs placebo for 2mol/L and 5mol/L Adenosine diphosphate (ADP) concentrations respectively, p>0.05).Flow cytometry showed no significant change in geometric mean fluorescence index (GMFI) of monoclonal antibody PAC-1 platelet binding (representing platelet receptor GPIIb/IIIa activation) between groups (-25±2008 vs -18±2434, -236±2680 vs -8±2258 GMFI units in treatment