Varadaraj Chandrashekar, Ph.D.
Emeritus Visiting Professor
vchandreshekar@siumed.edu

Reproductive Endocrinology

Our major research endeavor is to assess the role of IGF-I in the control of pituitary and gonadal functions in mammals. We are utilizing transgenic mice expressing various GH genes in our research. In GH receptor gene disrupted (GHR-KO) mice, circulating IGF-I levels are undetectable and these mice are good experimental animals to assess the importance of IGF-I in reproduction. The pituitary and testicular functions are altered in these mice and we are evaluating the factors that are involved in leading to these changes. Our secondary interest is related to the influence of GH/IGF-I on pituitary-Leydig cell function in aged mice.