Physiology of Gonadotrope Axis

Head: Joëlle Cohen-Tannoudji (PR UP)

INSERM team U1133

Our team carries out basic and clinical researches on fertility, which has become a major societal issue. Basic research is focused on the hypothalamo-pituitary-ovarian axis, which is the key regulator of female reproduction. We aim at better understanding the activity of these three interconnected organs as well as their endocrine interplay. Researches are focused on three main topics:

(1) Ontogenesis of the gonadotrope axis, by deciphering the epigenetic and molecular mechanisms dictating pituitary gonadotrope lineage differentiation and those underlying transient activation of the gonadotrope axis during minipuberty, (2) Regulation of the gonadotrope axis and (3) Vulnerability of the gonadotrope axis to endogenous or environmental disorders (see the diagram below).

In addition to uncover fundamental mechanisms controlling reproduction, PAG team benefits from the activity of its clinicians to develop translational research, focused mainly on the polycystic ovarian syndrome, which is the main cause of female infertility.

Clinical research (Departments of Reproductive Medicine of A. Béclère and J. Verdier Hospitals) is dedicated to the improvement of assisted reproductive technologies and fertility preservation.

The team conducts an integrative approach ranging from cutting-edge epigenomic single-cell technologies, molecular and cellular analyses to physiological analyses in rodents, as well as analysis of human biological samples.

ER: Estradiol Receptor, FSH : Follicle-Stimulating Hormone, GnRH: Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone, GnRH-R: GnRH Receptor, LH: Luteinizing Hormone, PCOS: Polycystic ovarian syndrome.