Associate Professor - Reproductive Physiology; Departmental ChairT: 514-398-7803聽 |聽 Lab: 514-398-7596 (MS1-110)聽 |聽raj.duggavathi [at] mcgill.ca (Email) |聽 Macdonald-Stewart Building, MS1-083聽 |聽 |
Degrees
PhD (University of Saskatchewan)
BVSc, MVSc (University of Agri. Sci., Bangalore)
Short Bio
Raj Duggavathi obtained his BVSc (1997) and MVSc (1999) degrees from the University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore, and PhD in reproductive physiology (2004) from the University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon. Following a postdoctoral tenure at the Institut de G茅n茅tique et de Biologie Mol茅culaire et Cellulaire (IGBMC), Strasbourg, he joined the Department of Animal Science in 2008. He has been serving as the Department Chair since 2018. His research program investigates the regulation of the ovarian functions and female fertility using bovine and mouse models. He teaches Endocrinology, Advanced Reproduction, and Dairy and Beef Production Management.
Research Interests
Duggavathi's research focuses on mechanisms of regulation of female fertility with emphasis on ovarian function. His team pursues their research interests in two modules.
In module 1, targeting animal agriculture, they investigate metabolic regulation of ovarian function in cattle. In the last ten years they have discovered that metabolic indicators differ significantly between lactating dairy cows and their non-lactating counterparts. Their current studies investigate, using randomized controlled experiments as well as big data observational studies, the relationship between ovarian activity and metabolic stress including ketosis.
In module 2, focusing on fundamental mechanisms applicable to both farm animals and women, they use signaling pathway- and gene-edited mouse models to investigate mechanisms of follicular development, ovulation and fertility. In the last ten years they have discovered novel transcription factors involved in the ERK1/2 intracellular signaling pathways as well as important molecules involved in ovulation. They have also discovered that pituitary gonadotropins modulate histone methylation to regulate gene expression underpinning follicular development.
Their current studies focus on the role of histone modifications and transcription factors such as Egr1 in granulosa cell gene expression. Their research will continue to advance the understanding of molecular mechanisms underpinning normal ovarian functions, including ovulation and steroid hormone production, leading to normal female fertility.
Key Words: Ovulation, fertility, granulosa cells, signaling pathways, conditional knockouts, dairy cows, dominant follicle.
Current Research
- Mechanisms of ketosis effects on ovarian functions
- Development of predictive tools for sustainable dairy production
- Role of the cannabinoid system in ovarian functions
- ERK1/2 regulation of granulosa cell gene expression during ovulation
- Region specific differential gene expression in the ovulating follicle
Research Support
NSERC - Discovery
Novalait-CRIBIQ-NSERC CRD
Research Trainees
- Ejimedo Madogwe, Postdoctoral Fellow, 鈥淓RK1/2 regulation of granulosa cell gene expression鈥�
- Teshome Alemu, PhD Candidate, 鈥淓ffect of ketosis on ovarian function of Holstein dairy cows鈥�
- Neeraj Neeraj, PhD Candidate, "Ovulation, fertility and ketosis in dairy cows"
- Aire McCall, MSc Candidate, "Development of granulosa-specific Egr1 knockout mice"
- Ning Sun, MSc Candidate, "Role of Egr1 in granulosa cell gene expression"
Courses
Position Availability
We are always open for new PhD and post-doctoral trainees. Send your CV along with a statement of research interest to discuss funding possibilities.
Publications
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Select Publications
Madogwe E, Schuermann Y, Siddappa S, Bordignon V, Roux PP and Duggavathi R. Sustained ERK1/2 signaling is necessary for follicular rupture during ovulation in mice. Reproduction 2021 161:183-193.
Schuermann Y, Welsford GE, Nitschmann E, Wykes L, Duggavathi R. Association between pre-breeding metabolic profiles and reproductive performance in heifers and lactating dairy cows. Theriogenology. 2019 131:79-88
Schuermann Y, Rovani MT, Gasperin B, Ferreira R, Ferst J, Madogwe E, Gonc抬alves PB, Bordignon V and Duggavathi R. ERK1/2-dependent gene expression in the bovine ovulating follicle. Scientific Reports 2018 8:16170
Siddappa D, Beaulieu 脡, G茅vry N, Roux PP, Bordignon V, Duggavathi R. Effect of the transient pharmacological inhibition of Mapk3/1 pathway on ovulation in mice. PLoS One. 2015 10(3):e0119387.
Duggavathi R, Siddappa D, Schuermann Y, Pansera M, Menard IJ, Praslickova D, Agellon LB. The fatty acid binding protein 6 gene (Fabp6) is expressed in murine granulosa cells and is involved in ovulatory response to superstimulation. Journal of Reproduction and Devevelopment. 2015 61(3):237-40.
Sanchez R, Schuermann Y, Agellon LB, Baldassarre H, Bordignon V, Murphy BD, Gevry N, Praslickova D and Duggavathi R. Differential abundance of IGF1, bile acids, and the genes involved in their signaling in the dominant follicle microenvironment of lactating cows and nulliparous heifers. Theriogenology 2014 81:771-9.