Casey Nestor
Bio
The long-term goal of the Nestor Lab is to determine the mechanisms by which neuronal networks function to link reproduction and energy homeostasis. Our current research program focuses on how undernutrition’s stress alters neuronal circuits within the hypothalamus to suppress reproduction in sheep. We commonly utilize techniques such as neurosurgery, in vivo drug delivery, frequent blood collection, radioimmunoassays, immunohistochemistry, and RNAscope to examine basic central mechanisms that may lead to advancing animal agriculture and benefiting human health.
Publications
- KNDy neurons as the GnRH pulse generator: Recent studies in ruminants , PEPTIDES (2023)
- The impact of undernutrition on KNDy (kisspeptin/neurokinin B/dynorphin) neurons in female lambs , JOURNAL OF NEUROENDOCRINOLOGY (2022)
- Evidence That Agouti-Related Peptide May Directly Regulate Kisspeptin Neurons in Male Sheep , METABOLITES (2021)
- Evidence that pubertal status impacts kisspeptin/neurokinin B/dynorphin neurons in the gilt(dagger) , BIOLOGY OF REPRODUCTION (2021)
- Kisspeptin, Neurokinin B, and Dynorphin Expression during Pubertal Development in Female Sheep , BIOLOGY-BASEL (2021)
- Effects of genetic selection for early puberty on the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis in gilts , JOURNAL OF ANIMAL SCIENCE (2020)
- Neuronal networks that regulate gonadotropin-releasing hormone/luteinizing hormone secretion during undernutrition: evidence from sheep , Domestic Animal Endocrinology (2020)
- Estradiol Protects Proopiomelanocortin Neurons Against Insulin Resistance. , Endocrinology (2018)
- Regulation of GnRH pulsatility in ewes , REPRODUCTION (2018)
- AgRP to Kiss1 neuron signaling links nutritional state and fertility , Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (2017)