Reproductive Endocrinology Laboratory

Fluorescent tissue image

Ramaley N384
Department of Integrative Physiology
University of Colorado
Boulder, CO 80309-0354
phone: 303-735-4364

Research Interests

  • The Reproductive Endocrinology LaboratoryÌýis interested in understanding how hormones from the brain and pituitary control puberty, male and female reproduction, and reproductive senescence. We are particularly interested in the function of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) and the developmental regulation of neurons that produce GnRH, since developmental abnormalities in these neurons lead to absent puberty and infertility in all vertebrates including humans. Additional projects include investigating (1) the evolutionary pattern of GnRH using molluscan models, and (2) the developmental regulation of the endocrine hypothalamus.

Personnel

  • Laboratory Director: Pei-San Tsai, Ph.D.
  • Graduate Students: Tyler Akonom, Leonard Kogan, Chimere Ndudim
  • Undergraduate Students:ÌýClaire Maloney, Jenny Ho, Jatin Potnuri

Current Research Projects

  • Development and maintenance of the reproductive brain.
  • Functional and structural evolution of gonadotropin-releasing hormone superfamily.
  • Etiology of infertility in humans.
  • Embryonic development of the neuroendocrine hypothalamus.

Opportunities for Undergraduates

  • The requirements for undergraduate research in the Tsai lab are includedÌýbelow.ÌýWe encourage highly motivated students, includingÌýunderrepresented and underserved students, to apply.
    • Junior or senior status.
    • Minimum commitment of one year.
    • Be able to work at least 8 hours per week.
    • Either have completed or be concurrently enrolled in IPHY 3410 (Human Anatomy) or IPHY 3470/3480 (Human Physiology).
    • Participate in a funding mechanism (such as UROP, Uplift, or IPHY Research Award)Ìýor enroll in independent study (IPHY 4860).
  • For more information, contact Prof. Tsai (pei-san.tsai@colorado.edu).

Recent Publications

  • Laphyai P, Kruangkum T, Chotwiwatthanakun C, Semchuchot W, Thaijongrak P, Sobhon P, Tsai P-S, Vanichviriyakit R.ÌýSuppression of a novel vitellogenesis-inhibiting hormone significantly increases ovarian vitellogenesis in the black tiger shrimp, Penaeus monodon.ÌýFrontiers inÌýEndocrinologyÌý12: 760538, 2021
  • Chung WC, Tsai P-S.ÌýThe initiation and maintenance of gonadotropin-releasing hormone neuron identity in congenital hypogonadotropic hypogonadism.ÌýFrontiers inÌýEndocrinologyÌý14: 1166132, 2023
  • Tsai P-S, Sanders KN, Dai X, Plachetzki D. Authentication of a lophotrochozoan adipokinetic hormone receptor in a gastropod, Aplysia californica. General and Comparative EndocrinologyÌý345:114393, 2024
  • Desmond LW, Dawud LM, Kessler LR, Akonom T, Hunter EAH, Holbrook EM, Andersen ND, Sterrett JD, Boateng DA, Stuart BJ, Guerrero L, Gebert MJ, Tsai P-S, Langgartner D, Reber SO, Frank MG, Lowry CA. Protective effects of Mycobacterium vaccae ATCC 15483 against Western style diet-induced weight gain and visceral adiposity in adolescent male mice. Brain, Behavior, and Immunity 125:249-267, 2025
  • Akonom TN, Allen AM, Tsai P-S. Opposite sex housing enhances reproductive function and induces transcriptional changes in the preoptic area of GnRH-deficient mice. Frontiers inÌýEndocrinologyÌý15: 1571740, 2025

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