The research in my laboratory has been focused on hypothalamic pathways linking energy balance and reproduction. Our studies have the main goal of adding knowledge on how the brain integrates nutritional and reproductive cues to regulate many parameters of the reproductive physiology. In humans, states of negative energy balance as in anorexia, cachexia, and excessive exercise can all decrease the secretion of gonadal steroids resulting in abnormal cyclicity and infertility. Obesity and diabetes can also negatively affect fertility. Thus, our studies are designed in order to understand the role played by the hypothalamus in states of reproductive deficits caused by metabolic dysfunctions. To achieve our goals we have combined anatomical tools with genetic and molecular approaches.
RESEARCH INTERESTS
Hypothalamic pathways linking energy balance and reproduction
Cavalcante, JC; Bittencourt, JC; Elias, CF., "Female odors stimulate CART neurons in the ventral premammillary nucleus of male rats." Physiol Behav, 88:160-166, 2006
Rondini TA, Baddini SP, Sousa LF, Bittencourt JC, Elias CF., "Hypothalamic cocaine- and amphetamine-regulated transcript neurons project to areas expressing gonadotropin releasing hormone immunoreactivity and to the anteroventral periventricular nucleus in male and female rats." Neuroscience, 125:735-48, 2004
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