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Carol A Bagnell Carol A Bagnell
Professor
 Animal Sciences
Foran 126
59 Dudley Road
New Brunswick, NJ 08901
Phone: 732-932-8165 x102
Fax: 732-932-6996
Email: bagnell@aesop.rutgers.edu
Website: animalsciences.rutgers.edu/faculty/bagnell2/carol-a-bagnell.html

Expertise Summary
  Studies in my laboratory focus on the physiology of the hormone relaxin (RLX) in the control of female reproductive tract development and remodeling. Relaxin, a member of the insulin-like family of hormones, has long been regarded as a hormone of pregnancy known for its trophic and connective tissue remodeling actions in the female reproductive tract that facilitate delivery at term and prepare the mammary gland for lactation. However, studies show that RLX is not only a hormone of pregnancy but has multiple roles in non-pregnant animals and targets both reproductive and non-reproductive tissues. In fact, recent studies show that a developmentally-regulated, estrogen-sensitive RLX receptor (LGR7) system is present in the porcine uterus and cervix from birth. In addition, porcine milk contains RLX that is transmitted into the peripheral circulation of neonates only if they are allowed to nurse. These studies indicate that a window of opportunity for transmission of milk-borne RLX from mother to neonate is open during the first few days of life. Thus, factors, such as RLX, with the potential to control reproductive tract development during early postnatal life are communicated to the neonate in milk by way of a maternally driven ‘lactocrine’ mechanism. Currently, specific areas of research include: 1) determining how milk-borne RLX influences the developmental program and trajectory of uterine and cervical tissues; 2) studying the interaction between RLX and estrogen signaling pathways in regulating reproductive tissue growth; 3) identifying molecular markers and mediators that control reproductive development (e.g. Hoxa, Wnt, estrogen and relaxin receptor family genes) and how they respond to hormonal and environmental perturbations; 4)studying the effects of RLX on non-reproductive targets including cardiac and immune systems.

Research Projects
  • Relaxin and estrogen interactions in porcine cervical development

    • Selected Publications
    Expression of LGR7 and LGR8 by neonatal porcine uterine tissues and transmission of milk-borne relaxin into the neonatal circulation by suckling
      Journal: Endocrinology
     Authors: Yan W, Wiley AA, Bathgate RAD, Frankshun AL, Lasano S, Crean BD, Steinetz BG, Bagnell CA, Bartol FF
    Volume: 147    Pages: 4303-4310
    Date Published: 2006
    Uterotrophic effects of relaxin related to age and estrogen receptor activation in neonatal pigs
      Journal: Reproduction
     Authors: Yan, W, Ryan, PL, Bartol, FF and Bagnell, CA
    Volume: 131    Pages: 943-950
    Date Published: 2006
    Effects of relaxin in a model of rat adjuvant-induced arthritis
      Journal: Annals of the NY Academy of Science
     Authors: Santora K, Rasa C, Ronan J, Visco D, Steinetz B, Bagnell CA
    Volume: 1041    Pages: 481-485
    Date Published: 2005

     

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