Reproductive Physiology
The remarkable collections of the Frozen Zoo® serve as an important resource.
The Reproductive Physiology Division of CRES applies innovative science and technology to the conservation of genetic diversity through enhanced reproduction of endangered species. Four major areas of investigation support this mission. First, effective germplasm cryopreservation techniques are developed to capture extant genetic diversity for infusion into the gene pool through artificial reproduction. Second, physiological processes are modulated to increase or decrease reproduction to help balance the genetic contribution of individuals within a population. Third, novel physiological assays and imaging techniques are devised to evaluate gonadal function and diagnose pregnancy. Finally, assisted reproductive technology is developed and utilized for the production of genetically valuable offspring.
Within the Reproductive Physiology Division, the Endocrinology Unit focuses on expanding understanding of the reproductive biology of exotic species though non-invasive hormone monitoring. Techniques have been developed for ovulation detection, pregnancy diagnosis, prediction of parturition, and adrenal monitoring in a wide variety of mammals, birds, and reptiles.
Staff
- Barbara Durrant, Ph.D., Associate Director of CRES/Reproductive Physiology, Henshaw Chair
- Thomas Jensen, Ph.D., Scientist
- Matthew R. Milnes, Ph.D., Scientist
- Thomas Spady, Ph.D., Postdoctoral Fellow
- Christopher Tubbs, Postdoctoral Fellow
- Jennifer Farmer, Heller Fellow
- Alan Fetter, Research Laboratory Manager
- Nicole Ravida, Senior Research Laboratory Technician
- Dianne Van Dien, Research Laboratory Technician
- Alice Saare, Volunteer
- Jaime Stahl, Volunteer
- Irene Wetsman, Volunteer
- Lisa Standing, Volunteer
- Barry Fass-Holmes, Volunteer
Would you like to help? Join the CRES Team!
Projects
- Characterization of the Estrous Cycle in Bears
- Reproduction and Seasonality in Snakes
- Development of Assisted Reproductive Technologies in Bears
- Thermographic Pregnancy Diagnosis in Bears
- Optimization of In Vitro Culture Requirements for Gamete Manipulation
- Field Hormone Assays for Reproductive Assessment and New Methods to Detect Ovulation, Diagnose Pregnancy, and Predict Parturition
- Development of Techniques for Reproductive Assessment of the Captive and Wild Kiwi
- Adult Stem Cell Acquisition and Culture
- Optimization of Germplasm Cryopreservation Techniques
- Semen Collection and Cryopreservation in the African Elephant
- Semen Collection and Cryopreservation in Hawaiian Forest Birds
- Determination of Reproductive Status through Hormone Monitoring
- Assisted Reproduction in Lagomorphs
- Analysis of Vaginal Cytology to Monitor the Estrous Cycle
- Reproductive Ecology and Conservation of Indian River Turtles and Gharials in the Chambal River Sanctuary
- Environmental Toxicology and Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals
Recent publications
- Jensen, T., K. Nutt, B. Seal, L. Fernandes, and B. Durrant (2008). Isolation and characterization of microsatellite loci in the North Island brown kiwi Apteryx mantelli. Molecular Ecology Resources 8:399-401.
- Milnes, M., T. Bryan, Y. Katsu, S. Kohno, B. Moore, T. Iguchi, and L. Guillette, Jr. (2008). Increased post-hatching mortality and loss of sexually dimorphic gene expression in alligators Alligator mississippiensis from a contaminated environment. Biology of Reproduction DOI: 10.1095/biolreprod.107.064915.
- Spady, T., D. Lindburg, and B. Durrant (2007). Evolution of reproductive seasonality in bears. Mammal Rev. 37(1):21-53.
- Nascimento, J., E. Botvinick, L. Shi, B. Durrant, and M. Berns (2006). Analysis of sperm motility using optical tweezers. Journal of Biomedical Optics 11(4):044001.
- Bolamba, D., K. Russ, S. Harper, J. Sandler, and B. Durrant (2006.) Effects of epidermal growth factor and hormones on granulosa expansion and nuclear maturation of dog oocytes in vitro. Theriogenology 65:1037-1047.
- Jensen, T. and B. Durrant (2006). Assessment of reproductive status and ovulation in female North Island brown kiwis Apteryx australis mantelli using fecal steroids and ovarian follicle size. Zoo Biology 25:25-34.
- Jensen, T., F. Pernasetti, and B. Durrant (2003). Conditions for rapid sex determination in 47 avian species by PCR of genomic DNA from blood, shell-membrane blood vessels and feathers. Zoo Biology 22: 561-571.
- Olson, M., H. Yan, D. Li, R. Spindler, J. Howard, H. Zhang, and B. Durrant (2003). Assessment of motility, acrosomal integrity, and viability of giant panda Ailuropoda melanoleuca sperm following short-term storage at 4°C. Zoo Biology 22:529-544.
- Durrant, B., N. Czekala, M. Olson, A. Anderson, D. Amodeo, R. Campos-Morales, F. Gual-Sill, and J. Ramos-Garza (2002). Papanicolaou staining of exfoliated vaginal epithelial cells facilitates the prediction of ovulation in the giant panda. Theriogenology 57:1855-1864.
- Bolamba, D., K. Russ, M. Olson, J. Sandler, and B. Durrant (2002). In vitro maturation of bitch oocytes from advanced preantral follicles in synthetic oviduct fluid medium: serum is not essential. Theriogenology 58:1689-1703.
- Durrant, B., S. Millard, D. Zimmerman, and D. Lindburg (2001). Lifetime Semen Production in a Cheetah Acinonyx jubatus. Zoo Biology 20:359-366.
- Olson, M., A. Anderson, D. Amodeo, and B. Durrant (2001). Resumption of meiosis in canine oocytes cultured with or without bovine serume albumin and gonadotropins. Theriogenology 55(1):489.
- Durrant, B., N. Czekala, M. Olson, A. Anderson, D. Amodeo, R. Campos-Morales, F. Gual-Sill, and J. Ramos-Garza (2002). Papanicolaou staining of exfoliated vaginal epithelial cells facilitates the prediction of ovulation in the giant panda. Theriogenology 57:1855-1864.
