Physiology
Physiology research in the Department spans from application-based, “whole animal” research to basic investigations of cellular and molecular mechanisms. Long-term goals of physiology research include enhanced production efficiency, improved animal health, increased quality of animal products, and regulation of animal impact on the environment. Faculty members conduct research in reproductive physiology; mammary physiology; and muscle, adipose, and connective tissue physiology. On-going research projects study tissue growth and its impact on food animal products, the genes and processes impacting fat deposition, and the endocrinological control of fertility and sexual maturation in males and females. Physiology research in the Department also includes development of new technologies for synchronization of estrous cycles in females and improvement of mammary health.
Faculty
Michael Day, PhD, Reproductive Physiology, Cattle
Dr. Day’s research program in reproductive physiology emphasizes the study of puberty, regulation of follicular development and its impact on uterine characteristics that influence fertility, and estrous synchronization.
Kristy Daniels, PhD, Mammary Biology, Dairy
Dr. Daniels’ research focuses on molecular aspects of mammary growth and development in heifers. The overall aim of her program is to identify strategies that will increase the efficiency of milk production.
Joe Hogan, PhD, Mammary Biology, Dairy
Dr. Hogan’s research and extension teaching is in the area of bovine mastitis.
Joe Ottobre, PhD, Reproductive Physiology
Dr. Ottobre’s research targets regulation of ovarian function with emphases on the function of the corpus luteum and follicular development.
Bill Pope, PhD, Reproductive Physiology, Sheep, Swine
Dr. Pope’s research program emphasizes the physiological events from late follicular to early embyronic development that are associated with fertility.
Kimberly Cole, PhD, Poultry, Equine
Dr. Cole’s current research focuses on the development of novel vaccine vectors against foreign antigens and their ability to elicit immune responses.
Kichoon Lee, PhD, Beef, Poultry, Swine
Dr. Lee’s research aims are to identify and define genetic and metabolic networks that promote the efficiency of fat or muscle development in animals or that are involved in human metabolic diseases and/or intake regulation.
Macdonald Wick, PhD, Beef, Poultry, Fish
Dr. Wick’s research focuses on nutritional and environmental influences on the molecular mechanisms of muscle growth, development, and meat quality in cattle, poultry, sheep, and fish.
Sandy Velleman, PhD, Poultry
Dr. Velleman’s research characterizes extracellular matrix macromolecules involved in regulating growth factor signaling and genetic regulation of muscle growth, function and quality.
Facilities
Physiology research occurs at both the Ohio State Columbus and Wooster campuses and at outlying Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center (OARDC) research stations. Research animals are located at the Beef, Equine, Sheep, Swine, and Poultry Centers and the Waterman Dairy Farm in Columbus, and at the Dairy, Poultry, Sheep, Swine, and Beef Research Centers in Wooster. The Eastern Agriculture Research Station and the Jackson Agriculture Research Station provide important animal support and serve as sites for applied research in these areas. The Ohio State Meat Laboratory in the Department of Animal Sciences in Columbus is a critical resource to support research efforts. Faculty laboratories in Columbus and Wooster are fully equipped to handle endocrinological and molecular biology techniques such as hormone analyses, PCR, protein determination, immunohistochemistry, in situ hybridization, and tissue culture.
Courses
ANIMSCI 3110 Introductory Meat Science
ANIMSCI 3140 Principles of Animal Systems Physiology
ANIMSCI 3147 Milk Secretion
ANIMSCI 3160 Reproductive Physiology
ANIMSCI 3170 Animal Health I
ANIMSCI 5100 Advanced Growth and Development
ANIMSCI 6067 Physiology of Lactation
ANIMSCI 6060 Advanced Reproductive Physiology