Paul C. Tsang, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Kendall Hall, Room 207
(603) 862-3479
Email: pct@cisunix.unh.edu
Educational Background:
Ph.D., Boston University, 1986
B.A., Cornell University, 1978
Courses Taught:
Introduction to Research (ANSC 901), Topics in Animal Science (ANSC 900), Contemporary Trends in Reproductive Physiology (ANSC 909), Research Methods in Endocrinology (ANSC 714/814), Anatomy & Physiology (ANSC 511).
General Areas of Interest and/or Specialty:
Female reproductive physiology; cattle reproduction; corpus luteum and follicle function; steroid hormones and growth factors; angiogenesis and metalloproteinases
Description of Current Research and/or Professional Activities:
The major focus in my laboratory is to study the role of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and their inhibitors (TIMPs) in regulating corpus luteum architecture and function. By utilizing northern and western blotting, zymography, in situ hybridization, immunohistochemistry, and cell culture techniques, we have been able to identify the presence of MMPs (gelatinases, membrane-type 1 and TIMPs (e.g., TIMP-1, TIMP-2, TIMP-3) in the cow corpus luteum over the estrous cycle. We have also shown that TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 proteins decrease dramatically in sheep corpus luteum following a one-hour infusion of prostaglandin F2a (PGF2a).
Recently, a second focus in my laboratory is to study age and growth, reproductive cyclicity and genetics of two skate species found in the Gulf of Maine. This information is vital to the development of a fisheries management plan for these two over-fished elasmobranchs.
Utilizing the technique of ultrasonography, we also participate in a regional project examining the regulation of follicle development in cattle.
Representative Publications:
Callard IP, Fileti LA, Perez LE, Sorbera LA, Giannoukous G, Klosterman LL, Tsang P, McCracken, JA. Role of the corpus luteum and progesterone in the evolution of vertebrate viviparity. Amer Zool 1992; 32:264-275.
Tsang PCW, Callard IP. Regulation of ovarian steroidogenesis in vitro in the viviparous shark, Squalus acanthias. J Exp Zool 1992; 261:97-104.
Tsang PCW, Poff JP, Boulton EP, Condon WA. Four-day-old bovine corpus luteum: progesterone production and identification of matrix metalloproteinase activity in vitro. Biol Reprod 1995; 53:1160-1168.
Ahmad N, Beam SW, Butler WR, Deaver DR, Duby RT, Elder DR, Fortune JE, Griel LC Jr., Jones LS, Milvae RA, Pate JL, Revah I, Schreiber DT Jr, Townson DH, Tsang PCW, Inskeep EK. Relationship of fertility to patterns of ovarian follicular development and associated hormonal profiles in dairy cows and heifers. J Anim Sci 1996; 74:1943-1952.
Goldberg MJ, Moses MA, Tsang PCW. Identification of matrix metalloproteinases and metalloproteinase inhibitors in bovine corpora lutea and their variation during the estrous cycle. J Anim Sci 1996; 74:849-857.
Townson DH, Tsang PCW, Butler WR, Frajblat M, Griel LC Jr, Johnson DJ, Milvae RA, Niksic GM, Pate JL. Relationship of fertility to ovarian follicular waves before breeding in dairy cows. J Anim Sci 2002; 80:1053-1058.
Towle TA, Tsang, PCW, Milvae RA, Newbury M, McCracken JA. Dynamic in vivo changes in tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases 1 and 2, and matrix metalloproteinases 2 and 9, during prostaglandin F2 alpha-induced luteolysis in sheep. Biol Reprod 2002; 66:1515-1521.
Zhang B, Yan L, Moses MA, Tsang PCW. Bovine membrane-type 1 matrix metalloproteinase: molecular cloning and expression in the corpus luteum. Biol Reprod 2002; 67:99-106.
