Prince Henry’s Institute

 

Liza O'Donnell

 

Profile

Dr O’Donnell joined PHI in 1991 after completing an undergraduate degree in Biotechnology at RMIT Melbourne. She completed her PhD studies in 1996.

Her PhD studies investigated the regulation of spermatid development (spermiogenesis) by androgens. Her postdoctoral studies have included studying the hormonal regulation of the 5alpha-reductase isoenzymes and their roles in spermatogenesis, the cellular interactions between spermatids and Sertoli cells and the phenotype of the male aromatase knockout mouse.

 

Research Interests

Dr O’Donnell’s area of interest is in the regulation of sperm production (spermatogenesis) and the role of hormones in this process. Her studies aim to identify the molecules involved in regulating sperm production to aid in the discovery of new, more targeted and effective contraceptives and to better understand conditions of infertility.

The research uses stereological and histological assessments of spermatogenic cell populations in testes to understand at which sites hormones, particularly FSH and androgens, act to control spermatogenesis.

A recent focus of her research is the process of sperm release or spermiation. Various techniques are used to explore this process, including immunohistochemistry, confocal and electron microscopy, stereology, Western blotting and in vivo models and in vitro cell cultures.

Other studies underway are investigating the transcriptional and post-translational regulation of spermatogenesis using microarray and proteomics.

 

Expertise

Stereological, histological, immunohistochemical and morphometric assessment of the testis, in vivo and in vitro models of spermatogenesis, physiology of spermiation

 

Recent Achievements

• First author on a chapter for the prestigious Knobil and Neill's Physiology of Reproduction

• 2001/2006 - Board Member, Journal of Endocrinology and Journal of Molecular Endocrinology 

• 2005 - Symposium presentation at the International Congress of Andrology

 

Research Projects

• Regulation of sperm release

• Regulation of Sertoli Cell adhesion junction

Selected Publications

O'Donnell L, Meachem SJ, Stanton PG, McLachlan RI (2006). The endocrine regulation of spermatogenesis. In: Neill JD (ed), Knobil and Neill's Physiology of Reproduction (3rd ed). Elsevier, San Diego CA. pp. 1017-1069

Beardsley A, Robertson DM, O'Donnell L (2006) A complex containing alpha6/beta1 integrin and phosphorylated FAK between Sertoli cells and elongated spermatids during spermatid release from the seminiferous epithelium. J Endocrinology 190(3):759-70

Beardsley A, O'Donnell L. (2003) Characterization of normal spermiation and spermiation failure induced by hormone suppression in adult rats. Biol Reprod. 68:1299-1307

McLachlan RI, O'Donnell L, Stanton PG, Balourdos G, Frydenberg M, Wreford NG, de Kretser DM, Robertson DM (2002) Effects of testosterone plus medroxyprogesterone acetate on semen quality, reproductive hormones and germ cell populations in normal young men. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 87:546-556.

Robertson, KM, O'Donnell L, Simpson ER, Jones MEE. (2002) The phenotype of the aromatase knockout mouse reveals dietary phytoestrogens impact significantly on testis function. Endocrinology 143:2913-2921

McLachlan RI, O'Donnell L, Meachem SJ, Stanton PG, de Kretser DM, Pratis K & Robertson DM (2002) Identification of specific sites of hormonal regulation in spermatogenesis in rats, monkeys and man. Recent Progress in Hormone Research 57:149-179.