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Johnson, Patricia Ann
Cornell Faculty Member
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Positions
- Professor, Animal Science (AN SC), College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS)
- Department Chairperson, Animal Science (AN SC), College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS)
Research Areas
- animal science
- cancer research
- endocrinology
- environmental and comparative physiology
- molecular biology
- reproductive physiology
- Affiliations
- Research
- Publications
- Teaching
- Service
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Affiliations
Research
research overview
- There are two objectives of the ongoing research in my lab. Our first goal is to understand the process of follicle selection and development in the hen. The features of avian follicle development make the hen an ideal model for understanding the process of regulation of follicular recruitment. It is possible to study the production of a specific hormone by an individual follicle. We have studied the ovarian hormones inhibin, activin and anti-mullerian hormone as well as the oocyte-specific factor, GDF9. By understanding the interaction of the somatic cells and the oocyte in a species in which preovulatory development is so ordered and predictable, it may be possible to generalize these findings to other domestic animal species as well. A fundamental understanding of follicular recruitment is essential to maximizing reproductive efficiency, especially in turkeys and broiler breeder hens where egg production is not optimal. Our second research goal relates to the development and characterization of the chicken as a model for human ovarian cancer. There is no animal model, other than the hen, which spontaneously develops ovarian cancer with a high incidence. Previous studies, as well as our own data, show that hens develop ovarian cancer with a striking similarity to that found in human females. The main cause of the lethality of ovarian cancer in women is the fact that it is usually diagnosed at an advanced stage. The availability of an animal model will increase the chance of finding a marker for early diagnosis. In addition, an animal model will permit the testing of pharmaceuticals that may decrease the growth of this cancer. Finally, selected genomic analysis of hens with and without the disease may reveal a difference that underlies differential susceptibility to ovarian cancer.
research activities
principal investigator on
- FOLLICLE SELECTION AND DEVELOPMENT IN CHICKENS awarded by NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURE-USDA 2008 - 2013
area(s) of concentration/expertise
keywords
- Avian reproduction
- Endocrinology
- Ovarian cancer
- Poultry physiology
- Reproductive physiology
submitted impact statement
Publications
individual publications
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academic article
- Expression and regulation of kit ligand in the ovary of the hen.. General and Comparative Endocrinology. 179:47-52. 2012
- Follicle selection in the avian ovary. Reproduction of Domestic Animal. 47:1-5. 2012
- Oral contraceptives decrease the prevalence of ovarian cancer in the hen. Cancer Prevention Research. 5:343-349. 2012
- Vitamin D regulates anti-mullerian hormone expression in granulosa cells of the hen. Biology of Reproduction. Biology of Reproduction. 86:1-7. 2012
- Copulatory behaviors and body condition predict post-mating female hormone concentrations, fertilization success, and primary sex ratios in Japanese quail.. Hormones and Behavior. 59:556-564. 2011
- Gene Expression Profiling Reveals Differentially Expressed Genes in Ovarian Cancer of the Hen: Support for Oviductal Origin?. Hormones and Cancer. 1:177-186. 2010
- The Restricted Ovulator Chicken: A Unique Animal Model for Investigating the Etiology of Ovarian Cancer. International Journal of Gynecological Cancer. 20:738-744. 2010
- Dietary aspirin decreases the stage of ovarian cancer in the hen. Gynecologic Oncology. 112:166-170. 2009
- Expression of Anti-Mullerian Hormone in Hens Selected for Different Ovulation Rates. Reproduction. 137:857-563. 2009
- Expression and regulation of anti-mullerian hormone in the hen. Biology of Reproduction. 78:13-19. 2008
- VEGF expression and the effect of NSAIDS on ascites cell proliferation in the hen model of ovarian cancer. Gynecologic Oncology. 110:418-424. 2008
- Characterization of Ovarian Surface Epithelial Cells from the Hen – A Unique Model for Ovarian Cancer. Experimental Biology & Medicine. 231:1718-1725. 2006
- Cyclooxygenase 1 and 2 mRNA and protein expression in the Gallus domesticus model of ovarian cancer. Gynecological Oncology. 103:673-678. 2006
- Effect of activin A and inhibin A on expression of the inhibin/activin Beta-B-subunit and gonadotropin receptors in granulosa cells of the hen. General and Comparative Endocrinology. 147:102-107. 2006
- Use of genetic strains of chickens in studies of ovarian cancer. Poultry Science. 85:246-250. 2006
- Expression and Function of Growth Differentiation Factor-9 in an Oviparous Species, Gallus domesticus. Biology of Reproduction. 72:1095-1100. 2005
- High progesterone during avian meiosis biases sex ratios toward females. Biology Letters. 1:215-218. 2005
- Messenger RNA and Protein Expression Analysis of Betaglycan in the Reproductive Tissues of the Domestic Hen. Biology of Reproduction. 72:172-178. 2005
- Pattern of secretion of immunoreactive inhibin/activin subunits by avian granulosa cells. General and Comparative Endocrinology. 142:233-239. 2005
- Ovarian Tumor Expression of an Oviductal Protein in the Hen: A Model for Human Serous Ovarian Adenocarcinoma. Gynecologic Oncology. 95:530-533. 2004
- Activin A and gonadotropin regulation of follicle-stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone receptor messenger RNA in avian granulosa cells. Biology of Reproduction. 65:1352-1358. 2001
- FSH regulation of follistatin and inhibin -and ßB-subunit mRNA in avian granulosa cells. Biology of Reproduction. 64:100-106. 2001
- Estradiol regulation of follistatin and inhibin - and ßB-subunit mRNA in avian granulosa cells. General and Comparative Endocrinology. 119:308-316. 2000
- Molecular cloning of the inhibin/activin ßB-subunit complementary deoxyribonucleic acid (cDNA) in the domestic hen. Biology of Reproduction. 62:1128-1134. 2000
- Gonadotropin regulation of inhibin -subunit mRNA and immunoreactive protein in cultured chicken granulosa cells. General and Comparative Endocrinology. 116:90-103. 1999
- Expression pattern of mRNA for follistatin and the inhibin/activin subunits during follicular and testicular development in Gallus domesticus. Biology of Reproduction. 59:271-277. 1998
- GnRH neurons preferentially respond to female nest coo stimulation: Demonstration of direct acoustic stimulation of luteinizing hormone release. Journal of Neuroscience. 18:5477-5489. 1998
- Avian inhibin. Poultry and Avian Biology Reviews. 8:95-106. 1997
- Expression and regulation of mRNA for inhibin/activin - and ßA-subunits in the granulosa layer of the two largest preovulatory follicles during the hen ovulatory cycle. General and Comparative Endocrinology. 107:386-393. 1997
- Expression of inhibin - and ßA-subunits in the granulosa layer of the large preovulatory follicles of the hen. Biology of Reproduction. 55:450-454. 1996
- Molecular cloning of inhibin/activin ßA-subunit cDNA and expression of inhibin/activin - and ßA-subunits in the domestic hen. Biology of Reproduction. 54:429-435. 1996
- Plasma levels of inhibin and gonadotropins throughout development in male and female chickens. General and Comparative Endocrinology. 102:56-60. 1996
- Characterization and quantitation of mRNA for the inhibin -subunit in the granulosa layer of the domestic hen. Gen. Comp. Endocrinol.. 90:43-50. 1993
- Characterization of a source and levels of plasma inhibin during the ovulatory cycle of the domestic hen. Biology of Reproduction. 48:262-267. 1993
- Complementary deoxyribonucleic acid (cDNA) cloning and sequence analysis of the -subunit of inhibin from chicken ovarian granulosa cells. Biology of Reproduction. 49:453-458. 1993
- Effect of in vivo somatotropin treatment of growing pigs on adipose tissue lipogenesis. Journal of Animal Science. 71:3293-3300. 1993
- Increase in ovarian -inhibin gene expression and plasma immunoreactive inhibin level is correlated with a decreased rate in ovulation in the domestic hen. General and Comparative Endocrinology. 91:52-58. 1993
- Inhibin in the hen. Poultry Science. 72:955-958. 1993
- Plasma concentrations of immunoreactive inhibin and gonadotropins following removal of ovarian follicles in the domestic hen. Biology of Reproduction. 49:1026-1031. 1993
- Inhibition of progesterone secretion from granulosa cells by estradiol and androgens in the domestic hen. Endocrinology. 123:473-477. 1988
- Interaction of granulosa and theca layers in the control of progesterone secretion in the domestic hen. Biology of Reproduction. 37:1149-1155. 1987
- Decreased granulosa cell LH sensitivity and altered thecal estradiol concentration in the aged hen, Gallus domesticus. Biology of Reproduction. 35:641-646. 1986
- Evidence for a positive feedback interaction between progesterone and LH in the induction of ovulation in the hen, Gallus domesticus. Gen. Comp. Endocr.. 58:478-485. 1985
- Hormone stimulable adenylyl cyclase and steroid concentration of follicles of the PMSG-treated hen. Biology of Reproduction. 32:828-833. 1985
- Relative LH stimulable adenylyl cyclase: A predictor of ovulation in the domestic hen. Biology of Reproduction. 33:445-450. 1985
- Effect of embryonic treatment with estradiol benzoate on reproductive morphology, ovulation and oviposition and luteinizing hormone levels in female quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica). J. Reprod. Fert.. 71:411-417. 1984
- Investigations of the significance of the crepuscular LH peak in the ovulatory cycle of the hen (Gallus domesticus). Journal of Endocrinology. 100:307-313. 1984
- Ovulatory response, and plasma concentrations of LH and progesterone following administration of synthetic mammalian or chicken LHRH, relative to the first or second ovulation in the sequence of the domestic hen. Biology of Reproduction. 31:646-655. 1984
- Plasma luteinizing hormone levels throughout development and relative to ovulation in pinealectomized hens (Gallus domesticus). Gen. Comp. Endocr.. 54:450-456. 1984
- Role of the dopaminergic system in luteinizing hormone release and ovulation in the hen. Poultry Science. 60:2551-2556. 1981
- Responses of the male golden hamster to vaginal secretion and dimethyl disulfide: attraction versus sexual behavior. Behavioral Biology. 20:377-386. 1977
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article
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booksection
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chapter
- Growth differentiation factor 9: An oocyte factor regulating ovarian follicle development. 8th International Symposium on Avian Endocrinology. 2005
- Avian Reproduction. Dukes Physiology of Domestic Animals. 2004
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conference paper
- Decreased ovulation rate is associated with an increased amount of messenger RNA for inhibin -subunit in the domestic hen. Signaling Mechanisms and Gene Expression in the Ovary. 1991
- Hormonal regulation of the follicular hierarchy in the chicken. Proc. 18th World Poultry Congress. 1988
- Effects of methylation on LH stimulated adenylyl cyclase activity and progesterone secretion in granulosa cells of the domestic hen. Proc. of the 5th Ovarian Workshop. 1985
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document part
- Occludin Expression and Regulation in the Growing Follicles of the Hen 2012
- Global gene expression of the hen ovary in response to different feeding conditions. 2011
- Chemoprevention in the Hen Model of Ovarian Cancer. 358. 2010
- Expression and Regulation of Kit Ligand during Folliculogenesis in the Hen. 620. 2010
- Vitamin D3 Regulates Anti-Mullerian Hormone Expression in Granulosa Cells of the Hen. 614. 2010
- Anti-mullerian hormone regulation of follicle stimulating hormone receptor in the ovary of the hen.. 568. 2009
- Global gene expression analysis in ovarian cancer of the hen.. 535. 2009
- The regulation of anti-mullerian hormone expression in granulosa cells of the hen.. 504. 2009
- Expression of adiponectin and its receptors, AdipoR1, AdipoR2 and T-cadherin, in chicken ovarian tumors. 363. 2008
- Non-nuclear localization of ER-alpha in ovarian cancer of the hen. 212. 2007
- Protein expression of steroidogenic enzymes in ovarian tumors of the domestic hen. 159. 2007
- The effect of aspirin on proliferation of ascites cells from hens with ovarian cancer. 213. 2007
- Estrogen receptor expression in ovarian cancer of the hen. 120. 2006
- Expression of Anti-Mullerian Hormone is Regulated by Feeding Level in the Hen. 120. 2006
- Expression of avidin in ovarian tumors of the domestic hen. 122. 2006
- Cyclooxygenase 1 and 2 mRNA expression in ovarian tumors of the hen. 126. 2005
- Expression and regulation of mullerian inhibiting substance in the ovary of the hen. 185. 2005
- Gland-like areas in the ovary of the young hen: possible preneoplastic phenotype in the development of ovarian cancer. 128. 2005
- Effect of activin A and inhibin A on expression of the inhibin/activin beta-B subunit and gonadotropin receptors in granulosa cells of the hen. 236. 2003
- Expression of ovalbumin in ovarian tumors of the domestic hen. 236-237. 2003
- Cell death in the ovarian surface epithelial cells from the stigma area of the largest follicles in the hen. 132. 2002
- Expression of betaglycan in reproductive tissues of the chicken 2002
- Molecular cloning and expression of the inhibin receptor in the chicken. 154. 2001
- The isolation and primary culture of ovarian surface epithelium cells from the hen: a model for human ovarian cancer. 316. 2001
- Characteristics of an avian model for human ovarian epithelial cancer. 138-139. 2000
- Molecular cloning of growth differentiation factor-9 cDNA and mRNA expression during ovarian follicular development in the chicken. 194. 2000
- Activin and gonadotropin regulation of FSH and LH receptor mRNA in avian granulosa cells. 34. 1999
- Pattern of secretion of immunoreactive inhibin/activin subunits by avian follicles. 166-167. 1999
- Estradiol regulation of follistatin and inhibin alpha- and beta-B subunit mRNA in avian granulosa cells. 82. 1998
- Evidence for the presence of relaxin-like factor mRNA in avian tissues. 33. 1998
- FSH regulation of follistatin and inhibin alpha- and beta-B subunit mRNA in avian granulosa cells. 92. 1998
- Activin regulation of inhibin alpha-subunit expression and progesterone production by avian granulosa cells. 144. 1997
- Expression pattern of mRNA for follistatin and the inhibin/activin subunits during follicular and testicular development in Gallus domesticus. 144. 1997
- Molecular cloning of the inhibin/activin Beta-B subunit complementary deoxyribonucleic acid (cDNA) in the domestic hen. 196. 1997
- Gonadotropin regulation of inhibin -subunit mRNA in vitro. 162. 1996
- LH decreases mRNA for the inhibin/activin ßA-subunit in the largest preovulatory follicle of the hen. 157. 1996
- The hen as an animal model for human ovarian epithelial adenocarcinoma 1996
- Expression of Inhibin A- and a-subunits in the granulosa layer of the two largest preovulatory follicles throughout the ovulatory cycle of the hen. 197. 1995
- Cloning and sequence analysis of inhibin ßA-subunit cDNA from chicken ovarian granulosa cells. 161. 1994
- Expression of inhibin - and A-subunits in the granulosa layer of large preovulatory follicles of the hen. 72. 1993
- Porcine somatotropin (pST) decreases fatty acid synthase enzyme activity and mRNA abundance in porcine adipose tissue. 363. 1993
- Porcine somatotropin (pST) decreases fatty acid synthase enzyme activity and mRNA abundance in porcine adipose tissue 1993
- Contribution of preovulatory follicles to plasma immunoreactive inhibin level in the domestic hen. 155. 1992
- The regulation of inhibin in the domestic hen 1992
- Plasma levels of inhibin in relation to follicular development in the domestic hen. 68. 1991
- Decreased ovulation rate is associated with an increased amount of messenger RNA for inhibin -subunit in the domestic hen 1990
- Oviduct removal does not alter plasma LH levels in the domestic hen or Japanese quail. 26. 1990
- Presence and regulation of messenger RNA for the -subunit of inhibin in the granulosa layer of preovulatory follicles of the domestic hen. 119. 1989
- Inhibition of progesterone (P) secretion from granulosa (GR) cells by estradiol and androgens in the domestic hen. 172. 1987
- Interaction of granulosa and theca layers in the control of progesterone secretion in the domestic hen 1986
- Effect of age on adenylyl cyclase activity of preovulatory follicles and theca and granulosa weights. 124. 1985
- Effect of age on estradiol and progesterone in serum and preovulatory follicles of the domestic hen. 90. 1985
- Dynamics of steroidogenesis in isolated theca and granulosa layers in the domestic hen injected with LH. 65. 1984
- Effects of methylation on LH stimulated adenylyl cyclase activity and progesterone secretion in granulosa cells of the domestic hen 1984
- Hormone stimulable adenylyl cyclase and steroid concentration of follicles of the PMSG-treated hen. 1553. 1984
- Relative LH-stimulable adenylyl cyclase: A predictor of ovulation. 62. 1984
- Additional evidence for a positive feedback system in the hen. 1445. 1983
- Evidence that lights off is a signal for LH release in the laying hen. 1487. 1982
- Evidence that the crepuscular peak of LH is a daily rhythm. 1676. 1981
- Effect of intraventricular injections of dopamine on ovulation and LH concentrations in the hen 1980
- Plasma concentrations of LH relative to photoperiod. 1625. 1980
Teaching
teaching activities
- ANSC-4960: Internship in Animal Science - Spring 2013
- ANSC-7900: Graduate-Level Thesis Research - Spring 2013
- ANSC-8900: Master's Level Thesis Research - Spring 2013
- ANSC-9900: Doctoral-Level Thesis Research - Spring 2013
- ANSC-4270: Fundamentals of Endocrinology - Fall 2012
- ANSC-7900: Graduate-Level Thesis Research - Fall 2012
- ANSC-8900: Master's Level Thesis Research - Fall 2012
- ANSC-9900: Doctoral-Level Thesis Research - Fall 2012
- BIOAP-4270: Fundamentals of Endocrinology - Fall 2012
- ANSC-7900: Graduate-Level Thesis Research - Spring 2012
- ANSC-8900: Master's Level Thesis Research - Spring 2012
- ANSC-9900: Doctoral-Level Thesis Research - Spring 2012
- ANSC-4270: Fundamentals of Endocrinology - Fall 2011
- ANSC-7570: Current Concepts in Reproductive Biology - Fall 2011
- ANSC-7900: Graduate-Level Thesis Research - Fall 2011
- ANSC-8900: Master's-Level Thesis Research - Fall 2011
- ANSC-9900: Doctoral-Level Thesis Research - Fall 2011
- BIOAP-4270: Fundamentals of Endocrinology - Fall 2011
- BIOAP-7570: Current Concepts in Reproductive Biology - Fall 2011
Service
service to the profession
- USDA, Animal Reproduction Panel Manager 2008 -
- UC Davis Academic Program Review Committee Member 2011
- Publications Committee , Society for the Study of Reproduction Chairperson 1992 - 1993
reviewer or editor for
- Domestic Animal Endocrinology
- EPA Review Panel (Endocrine Disruptors)
- EPA Review Panel (Endocrine Disruptors)
- EPA Review Panel (Exploratory Human Health)
- Hatch proposal for Cornell Agricultural Experiment Station
- NIH Biochemical Endocrinology Study Section
- NIH Review Panel for Specialized Centers Program in Reproduction Res.
- NSF Integrative Organismal Systems
- NSF Integrative Organismal Systems
- NSF Regulatory Biology Grants Section
- Poultry Science
- Review Panel for Biotechnology Center Grants
- Review Panel for Biotechnology Center Grants
- USDA Competitive Grants Panel (Animal Repro. Biology)
- USDA Competitive Grants Panel (Animal Repro. Biology)
- USDA Competitive Research Grants Program
- USDA Competitive Research Grants Program
Background
education and training
- Ph.D. in Physiology, Cornell University 1983
- B.A. in Zoology, Connecticut College 1975
awards and honors
Other
college
- CALS
research keyword
- Avian reproduction
- Endocrinology
- Ovarian cancer
- Poultry physiology
- Reproductive physiology
name prefix
- Dr.