1 To determine whether the effects of prolonged ovariectomy on the phenotypic characteristics of the metabolic syndrome is the results of estrogen deprivation or a secondary consequence of ovariectomy.
2 To determine the effects of prolonged ovariectomy with or without calorie restriction on the expression and function of the proteins in the insulin signaling and MAPK pathways.
3 To investigate how exercise training modulates the expression and function of the proteins in the insulin signaling and MAPK pathways in sham-operated rats, ovariectomized rats and ovariectomized rats receiving estrogen replacement.
