Reproductive Biology
Introduction and Significance
The study
of Reproductive Biology addresses basic aspects of reproduction as
well as factors affecting animal and human clinical reproductive
health, by examining physiological, cellular, molecular and genetic
mechanisms regulating reproductive function. Reproductive
biologists within the College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical
Sciences (CVMBS) investigate gametogenesis, gamete preservation,
fertilization, early embryonic development, ovarian and uterine
biology, and fetal growth and placental development, and also
address the effects of the environment -- such as behavior,
circadian rhythms, nutrition, and toxins -- on reproduction.
Reproductive disorders affect society in diverse ways, from
reducing the efficiency of food production to impacting survival of
endangered species. A major limitation to improved reproductive
efficiency in mammals species is embryonic mortality, which is
estimated to be 25% to 60%, depending on the species. In the United
States, high rates of unexplained infertility and peri-implantation
embryonic loss occur in both humans and domestic animals. The 1995
National Survey of 
Family
Growth indicated that 15% of women of reproductive age have
infertility-associated health-care visits, and the Centers for
Disease Control reported 16% of couples in the U.S. experience
infertility. Many pregnancy losses in both humans and domestic
animals are attributed to asynchrony in signaling between the
conceptus (fetus and placenta) and uterus or to endometrial
dysfunction, resulting in defective pregnancy recognition,
implantation, and/or placentation. In addition, intrauterine growth
restriction, a major human health problem in the United States and
worldwide, causes significant perinatal complications and may
contribute to adult-onset diseases due to involvement of multiple
genetic and environmental factors.
From a male perspective, population-based retrospective studies
suggest a global decline in semen quality of men and wildlife,
influenced by geographical location. The incidence of testicular
cancer and congenital reproductive tract abnormalities such as
cryptorchidism and hypospadias has increased in men in several
study populations. Man-made endocrine-disrupting chemicals, ranging
from plastics to pesticides, are thought to play a causal role in
these disturbances. Some of these toxins may disrupt sensitive
genes in the developing fetal gonad; others affect the
post-pubertal male.
FY 09-10 Funding Statistics
| Proposed Grants: | 26 |
| Funded Grants: | 5 |
| Total Funding: | $1,037,742 |
Faculty
Ph.D. Animal Science (Reproductive Biology), North Carolina State University 1969
M.S. Animal Science, Louisiana State University 1963
B.S. Biology, Centenary College of Louisiana 1960
Distinguished Professor
M.Sc. Awadh University, Faizabad, India
Ph.D. Awadh University, Faizabad, India
Research Associate Professor
Post-Doc Molecular Oncology, University of Montreal, Canada 2004
Post-Doc Reprod Endocrinology, Laval University, Canada 2003
Ph.D. Endocrinology, University of Madras, Tamil Nadu, India 2002
MPhil Endocrinology, University of Madras, Tamil Nadu, India 1993
MSc Zoology, Madurai Kamaraj University 1992
BSc Zoology, Madurai Kamaraj University 1989
Assistant Professor
Post-Doc Neuroendocrinology, University of Texas - Southwestern Medical Center 1986
Ph.D. Anatomy, Texas A&M University 1982
M.S. Reproductive Physiology, Texas A&M University 1979
B.S. Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University 1972
B.S. Animal Science, Texas A&M University 1971
Professor
Ph.D. Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, University of Florida 1988
D.V.M. Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida 1984
Associate Professor - Joint Appointment
Ph.D. Physiology/Biochemistry, North Carolina State University 1980
B.S. Animal Science, North Carolina State University 1974
Professor - Joint Appointment
Post Doc Reproductive, University of Texas Health Science Center 1980
Ph.D. Reproductive Physiology, Colorado State University 1978
M.S. Reproductive Physiology, Virginia PI and State University 1974
B.S. Animal Science, North Carolina State University 1971
Professor
Ph.D molecular genetics, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences 1999
M.S. genetics and cytology, Tartu University, Tartu, Estonia 1982
Associate Professor
Ph.D. Biology, Wayne State University 1976
M.S. Biology, Wayne State University 1973
B.S. Zoology, University of Michigan 1969
Professor
Ph.D. Animal Science, University of Wyoming 1997
M.S. Microbiology , University of Wyoming 1988
B.S. Zoology, University of Wyoming 1984
Associate Professor
M.S. University of Missouri-Columbia 1983
D.V.M. Kansas State University 1976
Professor
M.S. Texas A&M University 1990
D.V.M. University of Missouri 1978
B.S. Agriculture, University of Missouri 1976
Professor & Pin Oak Stud Chair of Stallion Reproductive Studies
Ph.D. Cornell University 1995
M.S. Texas A&M University 1990
D.V.M. University of Florida 1985
B.S. University of Florida 1978
Professor
Ph.D. Veterinary Pathology, Cornell University 1983
Diplomate American College of Veterinary Pathologists 1981
D.V.M. Veterinary Medicine, The Ohio State University 1974
B.A. Microbiology, University of New Hampshire 1970
Professor
Ph.D. Physiology of Reproduct, Texas A&M University 1966
D.V.M. Veterinary Medicine, Texas A&M University 1966
B.S. Veterinary Science, Texas A&M University 1965
M.S. Physiology of Reproduction, Texas A&M University 1960
B.S. Animal Husbandry, University of Wisconsin 1955
Senior Professor
Ph.D. Comparative Biomed Sci, University of Pennsylvania 1988
D.V.M. Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis 1978
Professor
Ph.D. Veterinary and Animal Science, University of Massachusetts 1996
M.S Animal Science, University of Missouri 1989
Associate Professor
Ph.D. Texas A&M University 2004
M.S. University of Minnesota 1998
D.V.M. Facultad de Veterinaria - Universidad del Uruguay 1985
Associate Professor
Postdoc Epigenetics, Childrens Health Research Institute - UWO 2009
Postdoc RNA Interference, Cold Spring Harbor Labs 2006
Ph.D. Veterinary Physiology, Texas A&M University 2003
BSc. Molecular Genetics, University of Western Ontario 2000
Assistant Professor
Ph.D. Physiology, Harbin Medical University 2001
M.S. Pathophysiology, Harbin Medical University 1997
B.S. Clinical Medicine, Binzhou Medical College 1994
Assistant Professor