The Unit on Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, led by James Segars, investigates underlying causes and effectiveness of treatment for a variety of clinical reproductive disorders. The studies are conducted as an integral facet of the clinical training program in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility. The objective is to provide clinician-scientists with a foundation of expertise in basic and clinical research related to reproduction. In the past year, we have begun collaboration with Dr. John Tsibris to investigate the causes of uterine fibroids. Uterine fibroids (also known as leiomyomata), are a benign tumor of the womb that represents a common cause of reproductive disorders. Uterine fibroids afflict up to 22% of African American women and are a significant public health concern; surgeries for fibroids cost over two billion dollars in the United States annually. Studies published this year suggested that fibroids might be distinguished from normal uterine tissue based on abnormal expression of genes involved in growth and growth regulation. Based on these results, fibroids appear to be a feature of disordered differentiation of cells comprising the womb. In a collaboration with the Unit on Reproductive Medicine, led by Dr. Lynnette Nieman, we are participitating in a clinical study to examine the medical treatment and the molecular basis of fibroid disease and expand upon these initial findings. Our basic research studies have continued to explore the relationship of the Brx protooncoprotein to estrogen-mediated responses. Findings this past year have implicated a role for p38 mitogen-activated protein kinases in estrogen action and have further supported a signaling pathway involving cytoplasmic proteins in estrogen action. Current studies are directed to further elucidation of the physiologic role of this signaling pathway in reproduction.

Project Start
Project End
Budget Start
Budget End
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
2002
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
U.S. National Inst/Child Hlth/Human Dev
Department
Type
DUNS #
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Country
United States
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Chason, Rebecca J; Kang, Jung-Hoon; Gerkowicz, Sabrina A et al. (2015) GnRH agonist reduces estrogen receptor dimerization in GT1-7 cells: evidence for cross-talk between membrane-initiated estrogen and GnRH signaling. Mol Cell Endocrinol 404:67-74
Thorne, Jeffrey T; Segal, Thalia R; Chang, Sydney et al. (2015) Dynamic reciprocity between cells and their microenvironment in reproduction. Biol Reprod 92:25
Jorge, Soledad; Chang, Sydney; Barzilai, Joshua J et al. (2014) Mechanical signaling in reproductive tissues: mechanisms and importance. Reprod Sci 21:1093-107
Segars, James H (2014) Uterine fibroid research: a work in progress. Reprod Sci 21:1065-6
Connell, Mt; Owen, Cm; Segars, Jh (2013) Genetic Syndromes and Genes Involved in the Development of the Female Reproductive Tract: A Possible Role for Gene Therapy. J Genet Syndr Gene Ther 4:
Beall, Stephanie A; DeCherney, Alan (2012) History and challenges surrounding ovarian stimulation in the treatment of infertility. Fertil Steril 97:795-801
Norian, John M; Owen, Carter M; Taboas, Juan et al. (2012) Characterization of tissue biomechanics and mechanical signaling in uterine leiomyoma. Matrix Biol 31:57-65
Browne, Hyacinth N; Moon, Kimberly S; Mumford, Sunni L et al. (2011) Is anti-Müllerian hormone a marker of acute cyclophosphamide-induced ovarian follicular destruction in mice pretreated with cetrorelix? Fertil Steril 96:180-186.e2
Batcheller, April; Cardozo, Eden; Maguire, Marcy et al. (2011) Are there subtle genome-wide epigenetic alterations in normal offspring conceived by assisted reproductive technologies? Fertil Steril 96:1306-11
Mayers, Chantal M; Wadell, Jennifer; McLean, Kate et al. (2010) The Rho guanine nucleotide exchange factor AKAP13 (BRX) is essential for cardiac development in mice. J Biol Chem 285:12344-54

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