External Website:
http://animalscience.unl.edu/anscandreacupp

A major focus of our laboratory is evaluating the role of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) in male and female reproduction. Recently we have collected some interesting data suggesting that regulation of pro-angiogenic VEGF isoforms versus anti-angiogenic isoforms can alter spermatogenesis and follicle development directly at the level of the oocyte or sperm cell. Inappropriate splicing of the VEGF gene to produce more anti-angiogenic versus pro-angiogenic isoforms appears to arrest follicle development and spermatogenesis. Thus, we are interested in hormonal, and metabolic regulation of this gene and how inappropriate regulation results in infertility in both the male and female.