Official websites use .gov

A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS

A lock ( 🔒 ) or https:// means you've safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Need Help

Cross Sex Steroid Therapy and Cardiovascular Risk in the Transgender Female

Award Number: F31HL172648
ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL HEART, LUNG, & BLOOD INSTITUTE
OPDIV: NIH
AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY
AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: FELLOWSHIP/SCHOLARSHIP/STUDENT LOANS
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 12/01/2023
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 03/03/2025
AWARD TERMINATION DATE: 03/07/2025

Group Awards By:

View Award Description

Cross Sex Steroid Therapy and Cardiovascular Risk in the Transgender Female - Transgender individuals comprise roughly 1% of the United States population and include those born one sex but identify as a gender that does not align with their biological sex. Gender-Affirming Hormone Therapy (GAHT) is used to treat these individuals to match secondary sex characteristics to their gender identity. GAHT in transgender females (TGF), individuals born male but who identify as female, involves administration of 17β- estradiol (E2) with an anti-androgen (AA) or castration (CTX). Although long-term studies in this population are limited, recent studies suggest that cardiovascular (CV) risk may be elevated in GAHT-treated TGF versus cis- gender men. However, the mechanisms involved are unknown and potential targets to ameliorate CV risk have yet to be identified. To address this gap in knowledge, the Alexander laboratory has developed a novel model of feminizing hormone therapy in the male rat that involves administration of E2 to mimic physiological levels observed in age-matched female rats in conjunction with androgen suppression. My model mimics the increase in E2, suppression of testosterone and decrease in body weight and lean mass observed in TGF individuals indicating clinical relevance for this experimental model of GAHT. My studies will use two different rat strains, the normotensive Sprague Dawley rat and the spontaneously hypertensive rat. Preexisting chronic disease such as hypertension is contraindicated in GAHT. Yet, GAHT is integral for the treatment of gender dysphoria. To date, basic research utilizing experimental models of GAHT are limited to nonexistent. Thus, a critical need involves the use of innovative animal models to provide reliable risk assessment and in-depth investigation into mechanisms that contribute to increased CV risk in adult TGF individuals that undergo GAHT. Therefore, my F31 will test the following hypothesis that shifting the hormonal milieu with cross sex steroid treatment versus natal sex, elevated estrogen coupled to testosterone suppression in the male, increases susceptibility to target organ injury and cardiovascular risk that is enhanced with aging and involves an estrogen-induced male-specific effect on the vasoconstrictor-vasodilator balance of the renin angiotensin system. Aim 1 will test the hypothesis that the shift in the hormonal milieu in gender affirming hormone therapy in a rodent model of the transfemale rat is associated with increased end organ damage and cardiovascular risk that is further exacerbated with preexisting chronic disease. Aim 2 will test the hypothesis that increased end organ damage and cardiovascular risk in transgender females that undergo gender affirming hormone therapy involves an estradiol induced “male sex-specific” effect on the renin angiotensin system. This grant will also further my training potential as I learn “gold-standard” methods for measurement of blood pressure via radiotelemetry, assessment of end organ damage in response to myocardial ischemia reperfusion with echocardiography by sonography, and ex vivo vascular function studies. Thus, this application will serve towards enhancing my technical skills in scientific communication skills, scientific rigor and networking as I train to become an independent physician scientist.


Issue Date FY	Funding FY	Legal Entity Name	Legal Entity Address	Legal Entity City	Legal Entity State	Legal Entity Zip Code	Legal Entity COUNTY	Legal Entity COUNTRY	Assistance Listing	Award Code	Budget Year	Action Date	Action Type	Action Amount

Issue Date FY: 2026 ( Subtotal = -$1 )
2026	2025	UNIVERSITY OF MISSISSIPPI MEDICAL CENTER	2500 N STATE ST	JACKSON	MS	39216	HINDS	USA	Cardiovascular Diseases Research	000	2	1/27/2026	TERMINATION	-$1
														Subtotal = -$1

Issue Date FY: 2025 ( Subtotal = $2,124 )
2025	2025	UNIVERSITY OF MISSISSIPPI MEDICAL CENTER	2500 N STATE ST	JACKSON	MS	39216	HINDS	USA	Cardiovascular Diseases Research	000	2	11/15/2024	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$32,974
2025	2025	UNIVERSITY OF MISSISSIPPI MEDICAL CENTER	2500 N STATE ST	JACKSON	MS	39216	HINDS	USA	Cardiovascular Diseases Research	001	2	3/7/2025	TERMINATION	-$30,850
														Subtotal = $2,124

Issue Date FY: 2024 ( Subtotal = $32,974 )
2024	2024	UNIVERSITY OF MISSISSIPPI MEDICAL CENTER	2500 N STATE ST	JACKSON	MS	39216	HINDS	USA	Cardiovascular Diseases Research	000	1	11/15/2023	NEW	$31,694
2024	2024	UNIVERSITY OF MISSISSIPPI MEDICAL CENTER	2500 N STATE ST	JACKSON	MS	39216	HINDS	USA	Cardiovascular Diseases Research	002	1	7/19/2024	NEW	$1,280
2024	2024	UNIVERSITY OF MISSISSIPPI MEDICAL CENTER	2500 N STATE ST	JACKSON	MS	39216	HINDS	USA	Cardiovascular Diseases Research	001	1	11/15/2023	NEW	$0
														Subtotal = $32,974

Grand Total All Awards = $35,097

Top

All Categories

About

Search

Reports

Data Submission

Award Information

Cross Sex Steroid Therapy and Cardiovascular Risk in the Transgender Female

Award Number: F31HL172648

ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL HEART, LUNG, & BLOOD INSTITUTE

OPDIV: NIH

AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY

AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: FELLOWSHIP/SCHOLARSHIP/STUDENT LOANS

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 12/01/2023

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 03/03/2025

AWARD TERMINATION DATE: 03/07/2025

Federal Websites

Department of Health & Human Services

HHS Operating Divisions

HHS Staff Divisions

Download A Document Viewer