The University of New England

School of Biological, Biomedical and Molecular Sciences

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Dr Gemma O'Brien

BSc(Hons), PhD Syd

e-mail: gobrien@une.edu.au

ph: (02) 6773 2505

fax: (02) 6773 3234

 

 

Dr Gemma O'Brien

 

UNESEX: University of New England Sexualities Research Group

Centre for Bioactive Discovery in Health and Ageing

Behavioural and Physiological Ecology Research Centre

Research Programs

Hormonal, behavioural and environmental regulation of reproduction

Gemma O'Brien's research is directed toward investigating brain pathways that subserve both the physiology of reproduction, and reproductive behaviour. Of particular interest are the similarities and differences between these pathways in animals in which ovulation is a reflex response to mating, and in animals that do not require specific external inputs in order to ovulate (spontaneous ovulators). Radioimmunoassays (RIA) are being used to measure reproductive hormones and elucidate their role in the integration of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal system.

Member of the Society for Reproductive Biology (SRB)

Brain pathways active in humans at orgasm

What happens in the brain at sexual climax, to produce the pleasure of orgasm? The biological changes that occur probably involve nerve activity and short-term fluctuations in hormones and other chemicals in the brain. This investigation into human SEX PHYSIOLOGY is drawing on data from neurophysiology, neuroendocrinology and neuropharmacology, especially of the cortex and limbic system at orgasm.

Member of World Association for Sexology (WAS) and the Australian Society for Sex Educators, Researchers and Therapists (ASSERT)

Click to see some recent results (.pdf file)

 

Anatomy and endocrinology of the pituitary

The physiology of long-lived tropical mammals has not been extensively studied to date. In Australia's flying foxes (Genus Pteropus), 3-dimensional graphical reconstruction techniques have revealed novel arrangements between the lobes of the pituitary which need to be investigated functionally. Immunocytochemistry of pituitary, weights and measures of reproductive tracts, and manipulation of fertility are used in conjunction with RIA to identify mechanisms regulating seasonality and secretion of gonadotrophins.

Member of the Australian Physiological Society (AuPS)

Endogenous rhythms and environmental influences

Flying foxes are currently being used as an animal model in which to test the interaction effects between animal well-being, group behaviour and reproductive parameters. Manipulation of factors that are probable regulators of reproduction, especially photoperiod, has exposed major differences between two congeneric species: P. poliocephalus and P. scapulatus. Some of the results that have been obtained are directly applicable to help captive breeding programs for endangered (closely related) species of flying foxes. Interactions between circannual rhythms and sensitivity to seasonal changes in daylength, in the regulation of reproduction, have identified flying foxes as an excellent model for investigating biological rhythms in tropical mammals.

For more information on bats in Australia, look at Australasian Bat Society Online (or click here for a quicker loading ABS homepage)

See also, G.M. O'Brien's go to next pageRecent Publications

Teaching Programs

Click to go to Gemma's Other Links

Enquiries to gobrien@une.edu.au

Document Last Edited: 23 May 2006

This page has been accessed hit countertimes since 20 August 1998

Page created by: Louise Streeting

e-mail: lstreeti@une.edu.au

Revised: June 2002

© University of New England

Armidale NSW 2351 All rights reserved.

 

 
School of Biological, Biomedical and Molecular Sciences
University of New England
Armidale  NSW  2351
 
ph:  (02) 6773 2193 
fax: (02) 6773 3268
 
e-mail: bbms@une.edu.au

 

 
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