ipc@bu.edu

Cell Signaling and Gene Regulation Endocrinology and Reproductive Biology Developmental Biology Marine Biology

Professor of Biology
Ph.D., University of Sheffield, England, 1962

Endocrinology and Reproduction

This laboratory is primarily interested in the cellular and molecular actions of estrogen and progesterone associated with the evolution of live-bearing (viviparity) from an egg laying (oviparous) mode of reproduction. The major organ targets of interest are the reproductive tract (growth, secretion and smooth muscle contraction) and the liver (synthesis and secretion of yolk protein precursor, vitellogenin) and other apolipoproteins involved in lipid transport (apolipoproteins A, B and E). Non-mammalian animal models (reptiles, elasmobranchs) are used in these studies. In addition, a second important area of research is the use of non-mammalian models (invertebrates, fish, reptiles) as bioindicator species for potential endocrine, reproductive and developmental disruption caused by toxic exposure via ground or surface water contamination. Laboratory techniques used are standard methods of cellular and molecular endocrinology and reproduction. These include steroid and protein immunoassay, steroid and protein hormone receptor assay by radioligand binding; protein purification and separation; antibody production; immunocytochemistry, in situ hybridization, standard histological procedures; Northern, Western and Southern blotting, PCR; electrophoresis; cell and tissue culture; lipid biochemistry; hepatic p450, glutathione-S-transferase and metallothionein assays; tissue heavy metals by ICP and graphite furnace spectrometry. Work is conducted year round in Boston, and at Mount Desert Island Biological Laboratory (MDIBL), Maine, during the summer.

Duggan AE, Callard IP. 2003. Lipids and lipid-transporting proteins in Chrysemys picta: role of gonadal steroids and growth hormone in intact and hypophysectomized turtles. Gen Comp Endocrinol. Apr;131(2):176-84.

Custodia-Lora N, Callard IP. 2002. Seasonal changes in hepatic progesterone receptor mRNA, estrogen receptor mRNA, and vitellogenin mRNA in the painted turtle, Chrysemys picta. Gen Comp Endocrinol. Oct 1;128(3):193-204.

Custodia-Lora N, Callard IP. 2002. Progesterone and progesterone receptors in reptiles. Gen Comp Endocrinol. Jun 1;127(1):1-7.

Duggan AE, Marie RS Jr, Callard IP. 2002. Expression of SR-BI (Scavenger Receptor Class B Type I) in turtle (Chrysemys picta) tissues and other nonmammalian vertebrates. J Exp Zool. Apr 1;292(5):430-4.

Custodia N, Won SJ, Novillo A, Wieland M, Li C, Callard IP. 2001. Caenorhabditis elegans as an environmental monitor using DNA microarray analysis. Ann N Y Acad Sci. Dec;948:32-42.

Rie MT, Lendas KA, Callard IP. 2001. Cadmium: tissue distribution and binding protein induction in the painted turtle, Chrysemys picta. Comp Biochem Physiol C Toxicol Pharmacol. Sep;130(1):41-51.

Duggan AE, Callard IP. 2001. Phylogenetic distribution of apolipoproteins A-I and E in vertebrates as determined by Western blot analysis. J Exp Zool. Aug 1;290(3):255-64.

Koob, T.J., and Callard, I.P. 1999. Reproductive endocrinology of the little skate, Raja erinacea, and spiny dogfish, Squalus acauthias. J. Exp. Zool. 284: 557-574.

Paolucci, M. and Callard, I.P. 1998. Characterization of progesterone-binding moieties in the little skate Raja erinacea. Gen. Comp. Endocrinol. 109: 106-118.

Giannoukos, G. and Callard, I.P. 1996. Radioligand and immunochemical studies of turtle oviduct progesterone and estrogen receptors: Correlations with hormore treatment and oviduct contractility. Gen. Comp. Endocrinol. 101:63-75.

Callard, I.P., Putz, O., Paolucci, M. and Koob, T.J. 1995. Elasmobranch reproductive life-histories: endocrine correlates and evolution. In "Reproductive Physiology of Fish" (Eds. F.W. Goetz and P. Thomas, Univ. Texas at Austin).

Paolucci, M. and Callard, I.P. 1995. Distribution and characterization of apolipoproteins in Chrysemys picta plasma. Comp. Biochem. Physiol. 110B: 583-588.

Giannoukos, G., Coho, D., and Callard, I.P. 1995. Turtle oviduct progesterone receptor: radioligand and immunocytochemical studies of changes during the seasonal cycle. Endocrine 3: 429-437.

Giannoukos, G., and Callard, I.P. 1995. Reptilian (Chrysemys picta) Hepatic progesterone receptors: relationship to plasma steroids and the vitellogenic cycle. J. Steroid. Biochem. Molec. Biol. 55(1):93-106.

Sorbera, L.A. and Callard, I.P. 1995. Myometrium of the spiny dogfish Squalus acanthias: peptide and steroid regulation. Am.J.Physiol. 269 (Regulatory Integrative Comp. Physiol. 38):R389-R397.

Perez, L.E. and Callard, I.P. 1993. Regulation of hepatic vitellogenin synthesis in the little skate (Raja erinacea): Use of a homologous enzyme-linked immunoabsorbent assay. J. Exp. Zool, 266:31-39.

Callard, I.P., L.A. Fileti and L.E. Perez, L.A. Sorbera, G.Giannoukos, L.L. Klosterman, P. Tsang and J. McCracken. 1992. The role of the corpus luteum and progesterone in the evolution of vertebrate viviparity. Am. Zool. 32:264-275.

Perez, L.E., Fenton, M. and Callard, I.P. 1991. Vitellogenins - homologs of mammalian apolipoproteins? Comp. Biochem. Physiol. 100B: 821-826.

Questions and comments are always welcome.
Copyright © 1996, The Trustees of Boston University
This document was last modified on October 7, 2003.