Ian P. Callard

Research

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.

Selected Publications

• Lutton BV, Callard IP (2008). Influence of reproductive activity, sex steroids, and seasonality on epigonal organ cellular proliferation in the skate (Leucoraja erinacea). General and Comparative Endocrinology 155, 116-125.
• Kitana N, Won SJ, Callard IP (2007). Reproductive deficits in male freshwater turtle Chrysemys picta from Cape Cod, Massachusetts. Biology of Reproduction 76, 346-352.
• Puinean AM, Labadie P, Hill EM, Osada M, Kishida M, Nakao R, Novillo A, Callard IP, Rotchell JM (2006). Laboratory exposure to 17 beta-estradiol fails to induce vitellogenin and estrogen receptor gene expression in the marine invertebrate Mytilus edulis. Aquatic Toxicology 79, 376-383.
• Kitana N, Khonsue W, Won SJ, Lance VA, Callard IP (2006). Gonadotropin and estrogen responses in freshwater turtle (Chrysemys picta) from Cape Cod, Massachusetts. General and Comparative Endocrinology 149, 49-57.
• Lora NC, Novillo A, Callard IP (2005). Synergistic role for pituitary growth hormone in the regulation of hepatic estrogen and progesterone receptors and vitellogenesis in female freshwater turtles, Chrysemys picta. General and Comparative Endocrinology 140, 25-32.
• Novillo A, Won SJ, Li C, Callard IP (2005). Changes in nuclear receptor and vitellogenin gene expression in response to steroids and heavy metal in Caenorhabditis elegans. Integrative and Comparative Biology 45, 61-71.
• Rie MT, Kitana N, Lendas KA, Won SJ, Callard IP (2005). Reproductive endocrine disruption in a sentinel species (Chrysemys picta) on Cape Cod, Massachusetts. Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology 48, 217-224.
• Won SJ, Novillo A, Custodia N, Rie MT, Fitzgerald K, Osada M, Callard IP (2005). The freshwater mussel (Elliptio complanata) as a sentinel species: Vitellogenin and steroid receptorsD. Integrative and Comparative Biology 45, 72-80.

Courses Taught:

• BI 425 General Endocrinology