Raj Duggavathi (on sabbatic until January 2024)

Degrees

PhD (University of Saskatchewan)
BVSc, MVSc (University of Agri. Sci., Bangalore)

Short Bio

Raj Duggavathi obtained his BVSc (1997) and MVSc (1999) degrees from the University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore, and PhD in reproductive physiology (2004) from the University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon. Following a postdoctoral tenure at the Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire (IGBMC), Strasbourg, he joined the Department of Animal Science in 2008. He has been serving as the Department Chair since 2018. His research program investigates the regulation of the ovarian functions and female fertility using bovine and mouse models. He teaches Endocrinology, Advanced Reproduction, and Swine and Poultry Production.

Research Interests

Duggavathi’s research focuses on mechanisms of regulation of female fertility with emphasis on ovarian function. His group’s current research involves two modules. In module 1, they use bovine model to investigate metabolic regulation of ovarian function in dairy cows. In the last five years his group has discovered that metabolic indicators differ significantly between lactating dairy cows and non-lactating counterparts. Their current studies investigate the relationship between metabolic stress and ovarian functions in lactating cows. In module 2, they use genome edited and pharmacologically manipulated mouse models to investigate signaling pathways governing ovulation and fertility. In the last five years his group has discovered novel transcription factors involved in the ERK1/2 intracellular signaling pathways as well as important molecules involved in ovulation including Nr5a2, mTOR (both granulosa-specific knockout models) and Fabp6 (whole-body knockout model). Their current studies focus on mechanisms of granulosa cell gene expression and effects of cannabinoids on ovarian functions. For their studies, they employ both genomic and targeted gene approaches, including next-generation sequencing, chromatin immunoprecipitation, immunoblotting, quantitative-PCR in our studies. Their research will continue to advance the understanding of molecular mechanisms underpinning normal ovarian functions, including ovulation and steroid hormone production, leading to normal female fertility.

Current Research

• Mechanisms of ketosis effects on ovarian functions
• Development of predictive tools for sustainable dairy production
• Role of the cannabinoid system in ovarian functions
• Catalytic independent ERK1/2 regulation of granulosa cell gene expression during ovulation
• Region specific differential gene expression in the ovulating follicle

Research Support

NSERC - Discovery
Novalait-CRIBIQ-NSERC CRD

Research Trainees

Ejimedo Madogwe, Postdoctoral Fellow, “ERK1/2 regulation of granulosa cell gene expression”
Teshome Alemu, PhD Candidate, “Effect of ketosis on ovarian function of Holstein dairy cows”
Jasmine Randhawa, MSc Student, “The role of cannabinoid system in the mouse ovary”
Baneet Kour, MSc Student, “Effect of growth on fertility of Holstein cows”
Tianyi Yang, MSc Student, “Evaluating the nutritive value of non-genetically modified low-lignin alfalfa at differential developmental stages”

Courses

Position Availability

We are always open for new PhD and post-doctoral trainees. Send your CV along with a statement of research interest to discuss funding possibilities.

Publications

View a list of current publications.