Research

The USC Reproductive Endocrine Research Laboratory, which is now part of the USC-HRC Biological Sciences Laboratory, has been recognized nationally and internationally for its expertise in measurements of steroid, peptide, and protein hormones in serum/plasma. The lab is also known for its expertise in measuring sex steroid hormones in a variety of tissues (endometrium, genital skin, breast, prostate, and brain) and for its studies on metabolism of steroids using in vitro incubation experiments. The lab director, Frank Stanczyk, Ph.D., is a member of the national committee on standardization of steroid hormone assays (Partnership for Accurate Testing of Hormones, PATH), and has been a participant in the Sex Steroid Assay Task Force, sponsored by the Endocrine Society. Dr. Stanczyk is a past recipient of an outstanding researcher award from the American Society of Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) and the International Menopause Society (IMS). Of particular importance is the lab’s emphasis on individualized training of fellows in lab techniques used in their research projects.

The lab has contributed to the following areas of science: metabolism and pharmacokinetics of estrogens and progestogens used in the treatment of postmenopausal women and for contraception; different routes of administration of estrogens, progestogens, and androgens; impact of aging on pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamic effects of hormonal therapy in postmenopausal women; alternatives to traditional hormonal treatment of postmenopausal women, including “bioidentical” hormones; the role of steroid hormones in the etiology of breast and prostate cancers, as well as in Alzheimer’s disease; insulin receptor defects and markers of adiposity in polycystic ovarian syndrome; androgenic markers in hyperandrogenic women with clinical manifestations of hirsutism and acne; and steroid hormone and AMH assay methodology.

This laboratory is located within the Norris Cancer Center, and uses animal models and cell culture to study the effects of long-term chemotherapeutics on future reproductive outlook for cancer survivors. Our current funding includes a Wright Foundation grant to study the effects of long-term tamoxifen treatments on the ovaries and uterus to determine whether the tissues recover normal function after tamoxifen withdrawal. New studies include the effects of androgens on the ovary, the functions of glycosylation of follicle stimulating hormone, and the possible role of olfactory receptors on ovarian cancer in females with BRCA1 mutations. We are also working in collaboration with a small company for the development of an ovarian perfusion system that would create a way to test chemo-toxicity on the ovary in vitro.

This is a new research collaboration between USC and HRC, with new research space in Pasadena. The lab has two sections, including Dr Frank Stanczyk’s reproductive endocrine research and Dr Lynda McGinnis’ culture and gene expression laboratories. These research labs work closely with the USC-HRC Fertility clinic. The labs include equipment for hormone extractions and endocrine assays, as well as Real-Time PCR, embryology-grade incubators, microscopes, micromanipulators, and computer imaging systems. These new labs will greatly enhance our research on follicle dynamics and embryo growth.

Ongoing research at LA General Medical Center includes multiple menopausal studies on hormone replacement therapy. In particular, the 3rd NIH grant involving our REI Division members is presently recruiting patients for a 3-year study. The purpose of the study is to determine whether the protective effect of estrogen replacement on the progression of atherosclerosis in menopausal women, previously demonstrated in many of our trials and others, is diminished when estrogen is coupled with a progestin that has strong antiestrogenic activity. This study is being done in collaboration with the Atherosclerosis Research Unit. The advantage of this specific progestin is that its antiestrogenic action may be linked to an overall lowered risk of breast cancer in users. Our county REI Clinic continues to be a substantial source of data for abstracts and papers for our fellows and residents. This can either be done by analyzing the current clinic records or setting up new prospective randomized trials and organizing teamwork among rotating clinic teams.