Teresa
K. Woodruff, PhD
Associate
Professor
Neurobiology and Physiology
To contact Dr. Woodruff:
Phone: 847-491-2666
e-mail: tkw@northwestern.edu
Dr. Woodruff's website
PubMed
Reference Lookup
Research Interests
An understanding of the biological, cellular, and molecular mechanisms
regulate the reproductive axis is the goal of the laboratory. Hormones and
locally produced growth factors of the gonads, pituitary, and hypothalamus
interact to maintain reproductive cyclicity in the female and tonic sperm
production in the male. The integration of endocrine, paracrine, and autocrine
mechanisms provides the precision demanded by nature to maintain the germ
line of the species.
The protein molecules that we are currently evaluating are inhibin and activin. While our aims are broad, the utility of the inhibin and activin hormone family is that they provide specific investigative tools. These hormones are integral factors in normal ovarian function and may be inappropriately regulated in disease states.