1982 — 1986 |
Adkins-Regan, Elizabeth [⬀] Ottinger, Mary Ann |
N/AActivity Code Description: No activity code was retrieved: click on the grant title for more information |
Hormones and Behavioral Development in An Altricial Bird |
0.957 |
1999 — 2001 |
Ottinger, Mary Ann |
N/AActivity Code Description: No activity code was retrieved: click on the grant title for more information |
The Gnrh System in Birds: Ontogeny of Function and Neuroregulation @ University of Maryland College Park
Birds develop male or female characteristics during embryonic and early postnatal stages in their life history. Precocial birds, such as the Japanese quail are relatively independent at hatch; they are very mobile and are able to feed themselves. Because their systems are well developed at hatch, this species undergoes sexual differentiation during embryonic development. As such, the male or female system is organized during embryonic development and require embryonic exposure to the gonadal steroids, estradiol and testosterone for sexual differentiation. Through previous work in our lab and other labs, changes in plasma levels of estradiol and testosterone have been described. Further, the effects of these steroids on the sexual differentiation of reproductive behavior has also been investigated. However, although the role of steroids has been determined for sexual differentiation of behavior has been described, little is known about sexual differentiation of endocrine patterns in birds. In avian species, chicken gonadotropin releasing hormone-I (GnRH-I) is the primary hormone produced by the hypothalamus. GnRH-I directs the function of the rest of the reproductive endocrine system by stimulating the pituitary gland to produce gonadatropins, which in turn stimulate the function of the gonads. The goal of this research is to investigate the GnRH-I system in Japanese quail during embryonic development and determine if embryonic steroids are critical for later sex differences in the function of the GnRH-I system. Experimentally, the objective is to determine if the function of the GnRH-I system is altered by treatments known to impact sexual behavior. Our hypothesis is that the GnRH-I system is sexually differentiated by embryonic steroids, resulting in later expression of male or female endocrine responses. It is likely that regulatory systems in the brain are critical components of this developmental process and involve noradrenergic and opioid peptide systems. By investigating these processes, this research will elucidate some of the hypothalamic mechanisms that synchronize endocrine and behavioral components of reproduction in birds and provide the basis for understanding the effects of environmental chemicals that may impact these systems.
EFFECT OF BUDGET REVISIONS ON RESEARCH GOALS
The first year of our NSF proposal is to be funded at a reduced rate from our request. In order to accomplish some of our goals within the time and the funding limitations, we will revise our research goals. In Study I, we will concentrate on Experiment 1.1, in which we will investigate the effects of embryonic treatments on GnRH-I system. We will not attempt to conduct Experiment 1.2 with our collaborator in Torino because this study will take more than one year and we do not have sufficient funding. Instead, immunohistochemistry for GnRH-I, enkephalin, and tyrosine hydroxylase will be conducted at UMCP without the 3-D analysis. If time allows, we will begin some of the work proposed in Study II to determine the effects of embryonic treatments on GnRH-I release in vitro. In this way, we will collect additional data regarding the response of the GnRH-I system to embryonic steroid manipulation.
Personal Participating on the NSF Funded Research
Dr. Mahmoud Abdelnabi will spend 30% time on this project. His CV is attached.
Ms. Nichola Thompson will spend 50% time on this work in technical support.
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1 |
2007 — 2008 |
Ottinger, Mary Ann |
N/AActivity Code Description: No activity code was retrieved: click on the grant title for more information |
Young Investigator Symposium, Breckenridge, Co - March 27-31,2007 @ University of Maryland College Park
This project will provide support for 5-6 very talented young scientitsts to participate and present their research findings at the Workshop on Steriod Hormones and Brain Function to be held in Breckenridge, CO on March 27-31, 2007. The Young Investigator Symposium will serve as a key forum for stimulating novel scientific initiatives between junior and senior investigators within and across disciplines. The high quality of science that these young investigators present coupled with the opportunity to meet and discuss their research will facilitate the integrations of innovative topics and cutting edge technologies that can benefit both junior and senior researchers alike. This year's focus will be on the neural basis of gender differences in behaviral responses obeserved across classes of vertebrates, a timely topic. The Young Investogator Symposium will showcase new researchers and will nurture emerging talent in the field by recognizing both the contribution and future potential of young investigators, including women and underrepresented minorities involved in research in neuroendocrinology. This Symposium is known for identifying and nurturing researchers who go on to write highly competitive proposals that are funded by the NSF.
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1 |
2009 — 2010 |
Ottinger, Mary A |
R21Activity Code Description: To encourage the development of new research activities in categorical program areas. (Support generally is restricted in level of support and in time.) |
Estrogen-Derived Para-Quinol Intervention in Alzheimer's Disease @ Univ of Maryland, College Park
DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Estrogens remain as potential compounds for fruitful drug development approaches as interventions for Alzheimer's Disease (AD). However, estrogen therapy has potential undesirable side-effects. We will evaluate para-quinols derived chemically from estrone (E1-quinol) and 17b-estradiol (E2-quinol), respectively in a murine AD model. These agents were proven to be novel brain-selective estrogen pro-drugs without problems associated with estradiol treatment. These agents (E1/E2-quinol versus the parent estrogens, E1 and E2, respectively) will be tested in in dtg AD and wild type mice. Data on biochemical, histological and behavioral responses will be collected to monitor the progression of the neurodegenerative disease, including behavioral testing, catecholamines, markers of AD neuropathology, and markers of brain inflammation in females. Our specific aims are the following: 1) Examine the behavioral consequences of treatment with E1/E2-quinol versus E1/E2 in dtg mice by conducting behavioral tests that assess the integrity of hippocampal-dependent and hippocampal- independent memory systems, and also attention and set-shifting. 2) Evaluate the effect of treatment with E1/E2-quinol versus E1/E2 on the progression of the AD neuropathology by treating control and wild type dtg mice at selected ages between 3 and 11 months of age with E1/E2-quinol versus E1/E2 and measuring: i) Morphological variables, including Ab proteins, plaques, activated microglia and astrocytes, in hippocampus, locus coeruleus (LC), basal forebrain, medial septum, and prefrontal cortex. ii) Biochemical markers, including Ab, catecholamines and their metabolites and markers of the cholinergic system. Broader Impact and Innovations: A major milestone in developing effective therapies for Alzheimer's disease is to show that a promising experimental agent ameliorates the loss of cognitive abilities and slows the progression of the AD neuropathology. We propose to test novel compounds that are classified according to their mechanism of action as prodrugs of endogenous estrogens in a murine model of AD. Female dtg mice backcrossed onto a C57Bl6 background will be used to assess for the first time the behavioral and neuropathological benefits of treatment with this novel, non-uterotrophic estrogen prodrug in comparison with those of the parent estrogen. If successful, these experiments will provide a framework for the pursuit of new therapeutic agents for the treatment of AD and brain inflammation. PUBLIC HEALTH RELEVANCE: Estrogens remain potential interventions for Alzheimer's Disease. We will evaluate para-quinols derived from estrone and 17b-estradiol as novel brain-selective estrogen pro-drugs in a mouse model of Alzheimer's Disease as interventions for neuropathology and cognitive impairment.
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0.987 |