– There is a high prevalence of thyroid disorder in the general population. Both hypo and hyperthyroidism have been attributed to male and female sexual dysfunction. The role of thyroid disorders in female infertility has been firmly established, while their role in male infertility is yet to be clearly defined. hyperthyroidism causes alterations in the sex steroid hormone metabolism as well as...

Olfactory cues play an integral role in the organization of events that mediate reproductive success. In a variety of species, priming pheromones, in particular, are important for ensuring reproductive fitness. To date, very little research has focused on how male-emitted priming pheromones, such as those that regulate the onset of puberty and estrus synchronization in females, affect the repro...

BACKGROUND The 12 kD FK506 binding protein FKBP12 is a cytosolic receptor for the immunosuppressant drugs FK506 and rapamycin. In addition to its critical role in drug-induced T-cell immunosuppression, FKBP12 associates physiologically with ryanodine and inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3) receptors, regulating their ability to flux calcium. We investigated a role for FKBP12 in male reproductive...

Male-derived accessory gland proteins that are transferred to females during mating have profound effects on female reproductive physiology including increased ovulation, mating inhibition, and effects on sperm utilization and storage. The extreme rates of evolution seen in accessory gland proteins may be driven by sperm competition and sexual conflict, processes that may ultimately drive compl...

Rodents of the genus Peromyscus have become increasingly utilized models for investigations into adaptive biology. This genus is particularly powerful for research linking genetics with adaptive physiology or behaviors, and recent research has capitalized on the unique opportunities afforded by the ecological diversity of these rodents. Well characterized genomic and transcriptomic data is intr...

Varicocele is the most common cause of infertility in men. The mechanism by which varicocele cause the variable effect on male infertility and is still unknown. Varicocele is found in 35 to 81 % of infertile men, and is one treatable form of male infertility. Although many advances have occurred in the treatment of varicocele, it still represents an important and challenging aspect of basic res...

Disruption of normal fetal development can influence functioning of organs and cells in adulthood. Circumstantial evidence suggests that subtle reductions in fetal androgen production may be the cause of adult male reproductive disorders due to reduced testosterone production. The mechanisms through which these fetal events affect adult testosterone levels are largely unknown. A recent paper of...