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The Center for Reproductive Sciences

Faculty

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Joseph S. Tash, PhD
Professor Molecular & Integrative Physiology Director, Interdisciplinary Center for Male Controceptive Research & Drug Development

Research Description

The overall goal of our research is to understand the mechanism involved with regulation of sperm movement and the factors that influence sperm production and maturation leading to the ability to fertilize. Our NIH- funded research is using a combination of medicinal chemistry and proteomics to determine the mechanism of action and testing of small molecular reversible anti-spermatogenic compounds as non-hormonal non-steroidal male contraceptives. Research funded by NASA is focused on the effect of space flight on signal transduction in the sperm during sperm activation and fertilization. This has lead to a more detailed investigation on the impact of long term space flight on male fertility. Both of these research areas utilize a combination of biochemical, digital imaging, as well as cell and molecular biological technologies.

Representative Publications

Tash, JS, DC Johnson and G C Enders. (2002) Long-term (6-week) hindlimb suspension inhibits spermatogenesis in adult male rats. J Appl Physiol 92 (3):1191-1198.

Tash, JS, S Kim, M Schuber, D Seibt and WH Kinsey. (2001) Fertilization of sea urchin eggs and sperm motility are negatively impacted under hypergravitational forces significant to space flight. Biol Reprod. 65 (4):1224-1231.

Tash, JS and GE Bracho. (1999) Microgravity alters protein phosphorylation changes during initiation of sea urchin sperm motility. FASEB J. 13:S43-S54.

Tash, JS, DC Johnson and GC Enders. (2002) Long-term (6-week) hindlimb suspension inhibits spermatogenesis in adult male rats. J.Appl.Physiol 92 (3):1191-1198.

Tash, JS, S Kim, M Schuber, D Seibt and WH Kinsey. (2001) Fertilization of sea urchin eggs and sperm motility are negatively impacted under hypergravitational forces significant to space flight. Biol.Reprod. 65 (4):1224-1231.

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