Ken Mcnatty
Research interests
My current research interests in Reproductive Biology are concerned with the roles of hormones, growth factors, nutrients, novel biological products/extracts and environmental factors that influence reproductive success in mammals. The specific objectives of my research programme are aimed at:
- Elucidating the genetic and molecular mechanisms by which mammals such as rodents, rabbits, possums and ruminants generate gametes for the production of viable off-spring.
- Identifying the roles that somatic cells play in regulating the nutritional and energy requirements of germ cells and to elucidate the environmental influences that either enhance or retard these processes.
- Determining the effect(s) of environmental contaminants, toxins, carcinogens and novel biological extracts on reproductive function using in vivo and/or in vitro bioassays.
- Applying state-of-the-art biotechnologies to enhance and/or protect fertility of our endangered/valued species and to develop humane biocontrol methods for species that threaten our environment and economy. These technologies may include development of new diagnostics for monitoring fertility, environmental contaminants and reagents (e.g. recombinant hormones and/or vaccines) for enhancing or reducing fertility.
Visit the Reproductive Biology Research Group web page.
Selected publications
Crawford JL, Heath DA, Reader KL, Quirke LD, Hudson NL, Juengel JL, McNatty KP (2011) Oocytes in sheep homozygous for a mutation in bone morphogenetic protein receptor 1B express lower mRNA levels of bone morphogenetic protein 15 but not growth differentiation factor 9 Reproduction 142: 53-61.
McNatty KP, Heath DA, Hudson NL, Reader KL, Quirke L, Lun S, Juengel JL (2010) The conflict between hierarchical ovarian follicular development and superovulation treatment. Reproduction 140, 287-294.
Lin JS, McNatty KP (2009) Aptamer-based regionally-protected PCR for protein detection. Clinical Chemistry 55, 1686-1693.
McIntosh CJ, Lun S, Lawrence S, Western AH, McNatty KP Juengel JL (2008) The proregion of mouse BMP15 regulates the cooperative interactions of BMP15 and GDF9. Biology of Reproduction 79, 889-896.
Edwards SJ, Reader KL, Lun S, Western A, Lawrence S, McNatty KP Juengel JL (2008) The cooperative effect of growth and differentiation factor-9 and bone morphogenetic protein (BMP)-15 on granulosa cell function is modulated primarily through BMP receptor II. Endocrinology 149, 1026-1030.
McNatty KP, Hudson NL, Whiting L, Reader KL, Lun S, Western A, Heath DA, Smith P, Moore LG, Juengel JL (2007) The effects of immunizing sheep with different BMP15 and GDF9 peptide sequences on ovarian follicular development and ovulation rate. Biology of Reproduction 76, 552-560.