Birds & Brains
Picturephoto by Nathan Friedlipski
How does stress affect reproduction?

It has been long known that stress can negatively affect sexual behavior and reproduction. However, the mechanisms behind this inhibition are not well understood. We are currently studying how stress affects gene activity in a relatively conserved vertebrate biological system vital for reproduction - the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis. By doing so, we hope to advance stress and reproductive research with the potential for devising future therapeutic strategies to ameliorate stress-induced reproductive dysfunction.
Select publications​
  • ​Ernst, D.K., Chintamen, S., Dickens, M., Calisi, R.M. 2019. Differential influence of captive housing environments on zebra finch stress and physiology. Hormones and Behavior (under revision).
  • ​Wilsterman, K., McGuire, N.L., Calisi, R.M. and Bentley, G.E. 2019. Seasonality: Hormones and Behavior, Breed, MD and Moore, J., (ed), Encyclopedia of Animal Behavior, Second Addition. Vol. 3, Oxford Academic Press. (pdf)
  • Calisi, R.M., Austin, S., Lang, A., MacManes, M. 2018. Sex-biased transcriptomic response of the reproductive axis to stress. Hormones and Behavior. 100, 56-68. COVER. (pdf)​​​
  • Bentley, G.E., Wilsterman, K.,  Ernst, D., Lynn, S., Dickens, M., Calisi, R.M., Kaufer, D., Geraghty, A., Kangas, K., McGuire, N., Tsutsui, K., 2017. Neural versus gonadal GnIH: are they independent systems? A mini-review. Integrative and Comparative Biology. (pdf)
  • ​Wingfield, J.C., Perfito, N., Calisi, R.M., Bentley, G., Ubuka, T., Mukai, M., O’Brien, S., Tsutsui, K. 2016. Putting the brakes on reproduction: Implications for conservation, global climate change and biomedicine. General and Comparative Endocrinology, 227: 16-26. (pdf)
  • Calisi, R.M. and Saldanha, C. 2015. Neurohormones, brain and behavior: A comparative approach to understanding rapid neuroendocrine action. Integrative and Comparative Biology. (pdf)
  • ​Calisi, R.M., Knudsen, D., Krause, J., Wingfield, J.C., Gentner, T.Q. 2013. Estradiol differentially affects auditory recognition and learning according to photoperiodic state in the adult male songbird, European starling (Sturnus vulgaris). PeerJ.​ (pdf)
  • Calisi, R.M. 2010. Gonadotropin inhibitory hormone: New insights into the neuroendocrinology of stress and social conditions. Doctoral Dissertation, University of California, Berkeley, UMI Dissertation Publishing, UMI 3413543. (pdf)
  • Bentley, G.E., Ubuka, T., McGuire, N.L., Calisi, R.M., Perfito, N., Kriegsfeld, L.J., Wingfield, J.C. and Tsutsui, K. 2009. GnIH: A Multifunctional Neuropeptide. Journal of Neuroendocrinology, 21: 276-281. (pdf)
  • Ubuka, T., McGuire, N.L., Calisi, R.M., Perfito, N. and Bentley, G.E. 2008. The control of reproductive physiology and behavior by gonadotropin-inhibitory hormone. Integrative and Comparative Biology, 48(5): 560-569. (pdf)
  • Calisi, R.M., Rizzo, N.O.*, Bentley, G.E. 2008. Seasonal differences in hypothalamic EGR-1 and GnIH expression following capture-handling stress in house sparrows (Passer domesticus). General and Comparative Endocrinology, 157(3): 283-287. (pdf)
Proudly powered by Weebly