The Female reproductive system

Dr. Hall is a clinical investigator whose research focuses on the neuroendocrine interactions underlying normal human reproduction, the changes that occur both with aging and in clinical disorders of ovulation as well as the interrelationships between metabolic signals and the reproductive systems. Her recent studies of the physiology and pathophysiology of the menstrual cycle have helped to define the physiology of inhibin A and inhibin B relative to that of estradiol in young and older reproductive aged women; have determined the influence of estradiol on leptin, body composition and energy balance; have defined the interactions of insulin and LH as determinants of the inverse relationship of inhibin B and body mass index in patients with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS); defined the characteristics that predispose to success in ovulation induction using pulsatile GnRH in women with PCOS; and determined that mild degrees of hyperandrogenism and insulin resistance are present in women with polycystic ovarian morphology and a longstanding history of regular ovulatory menstrual cycles. Current studies are underway to further explore the mechanism underlying the inverse relationship between LH and BMI in PCOS and to explore the circadian regulation of leptin in normal women. Dr. Hall is also Associate Director of the Education Unit of the MGH Clinical Research Program and Vice-President for Clinical Research of the Endocrine Society. A recipient of the A. Clifford Barger Excellence in Mentoring Award from Harvard Medical School.

References:

1. Shaw ND, Srouji SS, Histed SN, McCurnin KE, Hall JE. Aging Attenuates The Pituitary Response To Gonadotropin Releasing Hormone. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2009 Jun 23. [Epub ahead of print]
   
   
2. Falardeau J, Chung WC, Beenken A, Raivio T, Plummer L, Sidis Y, Jacobson-Dickman EE, Eliseenkova AV, Ma J, Dwyer A, Quinton R, Na S, Hall JE, Huot C, Alois N, Pearce SH, Cole LW, Hughes V, Mohammadi M, Tsai P, Pitteloud N. Decreased FGF8 signaling causes deficiency of gonadotropin-releasing hormone in humans and mice. J Clin Invest. 2008 Aug;118(8):2822-31.
   
   
3. Ottowitz WE, Dougherty DD, Fischman AJ, Hall JE. [18F]2-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose positron emission tomography demonstration of estrogen negative and positive feedback on luteinizing hormone secretion in women. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2008 Aug;93(8):3208-14.
   
   
4. Sharma CS, Sarkar S, Periyakaruppan A, Ravichandran P, Sadanandan B, Ramesh V, Thomas R, Hall JE, Wilson BL, Ramesh GT. Simulated microgravity activates apoptosis and NF-kappaB in mice testis. Mol Cell Biochem. 2008 Jun;313(1-2):71-8.
   
   
5. Hall JE. Neuroendocrine changes with reproductive aging in women. Semin Reprod Med. 2007 Sep;25(5):344-51.
   
   
6. Srouji SS, Pagán YL, D'Amato F, Dabela A, Jimenez Y, Supko JG, Hall JE. Pharmacokinetic factors contribute to the inverse relationship between luteinizing hormone and body mass index in polycystic ovarian syndrome. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2007 Apr;92(4):1347-52