Graduate Programs in the Life Sciences

Research Focus

• Hormonal regulation of the differentiation and function of ovarian follicles

• Differentiation and relative roles of the two endocrine cell types in the follicle

• Theca and granulosa cells

• Relative roles of the two pituitary gonadotropins, LH and FSH, in the regulation of follicular steroid production

• Isolating and culturing theca and granulosa cells from follicles at defined stages of follicular development

• Mechanisms by which a few follicles are selected to complete development and ovulate

• Monitor the growth and regression of follicles over time in vivo with ultrasonography

• Cattle, horses, and rats as experimental models in these studies