Neuroendocrinology

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The department is currently pursuing research to understand the intricacies of male fertility. Two aspects are being studied. First is on the role of estrogen in males using rodent model and another is paternal epigenetic factors in embryo and placental developmental in humans and estrogen receptor subtype specific agonist/antagonist treated rat model.

Our study on the role of estrogen in spermatogenesis and male fertility in adult rats have highlighted that estrogen signaling through its cognate receptor ERß causes spermiation failure by affecting expression of genes involved in actin cytoskeletal remodeling leading to disruption in the formation of tubulobulbar complex and hence spermiation (sperm release). Understanding the molecular mechanism of sperm release may help in identifying novel targets for male fertility regulation. We have also demonstrated that estrogen signaling through both its receptors (a and ß) affects fertility. ER a is predominantly involved in the negative feedback regulation of gonadotrophins while ERß has predominantly testicular effect. Estrogen signaling through both its receptors have differential effect on spermatogenesis. ER a is involved in spermiogenesis and ERß is involved in meiosis and spermiation. These studies help to understand the mechanism through which endocrine disruptors like xenoestrogens may affect male germ line and male fertility.

Using Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulator, tamoxifen treated rat model, we have demonstrated the role of estrogen in acquisition/maintenance of genomic imprint marks during spermatogenesis. We have shown the importance of paternal aberrant imprinting in causing post implantation embryo loss and abnormal placentation in rats and have demonstrated association of paternal imprinting with recurrent spontaneous abortions in humans. These studies have immense significance in understanding involvement of paternal imprinting in pregnancy related diseases such as recurrent spontaneous abortions, preeclampsia and intrauterine growth retardation for which only women are tested.

We are also exploring how male obesity could lead to defects in fertility, through epigenetic mechanisms, in the male germ line using obese rat models.

Name	Designation
Dr. N Balasinor	Scientist F
Dr Dipty Singh	Scientist C
Dr Nishi Kumari	Scientist B
Dr Kushaan Khambata	Scientist B
Ms Vaishali Nakhwa	Technical Assistant
Ms. R Goankar	Technician ‘C’
Mr. S Mandavkar	Technician ‘C’
Mr. D Shelar	Technician ‘C’
Ms. S Sonawane	Technician ‘C’
Ms. Zakiya Ansari	Technician ‘C’
Mr. M Pawar	Technician ‘C’
Ms. A Kumar	Ph D Scholar
Ms. S Deshpande	Ph D Scholar
Ms.S Mohan	Ph D Scholar
Ms. M Datar	Ph D Scholar

Sr No.	Title of Project	Funding Agency	Date of Sanction and Duration
1.	Genomic imprinting : A paternal contribution to embryogenesis	ICMR “Functional Genomics	2002-2005
2.	Effect of estrogen/antiestrogen on germ cell maturation in the testis	DBT, New Delhi under Indo-US CRHR	2002-2005
3.	Teratological studies of an ayurvedic contraceptive: Pippaliyadi vati	MHOFW	2004-2005
4.	Role of imprinting cluster on rat chromosome 1 in embryogenesis	DBT, New Delhi	2006-2009
5.	Studies to elucidate estrogen mediated mechanism for gametic imprint mark at Igf2-H19 locus in the male germ line	ICMR Innovation fund	2007–2010
6.	Molecular mechanism underlying nuclear chromatin condensation: Differential regulation by testosterone and FSH	DST, New Delhi	2008-2011
7.	Characterization of placental defects in embryos following paternal tamoxifen treatment	BRNS-DAE	2010-2013
8.	Characterization of molecular events during spermiation	DST, New Delhi	2008 -2011
9.	Embryo loss due to epigenetic abnormalities in the male germ line: A study in recurrent spontaneous abortions	DBT, New Delhi	2010-2013
10.	Studies to elucidate molecular mechanism of estrogen action during spermiation	DST, New Delhi	2012-2016

Neuroendocrinology

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