The Hollinshead Laboratory is committed to advancing the field of artificial reproductive technologies, contraception, in vitro production of hormones to manipulate the reproductive cycle, and novel therapeutics. At the heart of our research is the belief that a comprehensive understanding of basic reproductive processes transcends species boundaries and holds the key to transformative advancements in veterinary medicine and beyond.
Our lab is founded on several key philosophies and goals that drive our research and guide our interactions within and beyond the scientific community which include:
- A comparative reproduction research program in which we work with a diverse array of species including canine, feline, equine, bovine, and wildlife species
- We are dedicated to bridging the gap between bench-top discoveries and clinical applications to improve veterinary and reproductive operations, foster advancements in reproductive success, and benefit animal health and well-being.
- We are committed to improving the well-being of animals and contributing positively to the sustainability of our environment. Our research explores ways to enhance animal health and reproduction, with a broader impact on conservation efforts and environmental stewardship.
- We are dedicated to the development and optimization of effective and novel in vitro models to serve as invaluable tools for studying reproductive diseases and testing the efficacy of potential biological therapeutics. Importantly, this allows reduced reliance on live animals in research, offering ethical alternatives that advance scientific understanding.
- Collaboration is the cornerstone of scientific progress and key to the success of our research program. By working collaboratively, we leverage diverse expertise and resources to address complex questions and challenges in reproductive physiology.
- A core goal of our lab is to equip undergraduate, graduate, and post-doctoral fellows with the latest scientific techniques and methodologies, as well as clinical skills and knowledge necessary to tackle new research questions and challenges in an inclusive, supportive, collaborative, and enjoyable research environment that promotes creativity, innovation, and the exchange of ideas.
research project
Equine chorionic girdle (CG) organoids and their in vitro production of equine chronic gonadotropin (eCG) (bioreactor)
The equine chorionic girdle is a unique placental structure in the mare that is composed of specialized invasive trophoblast cells that will form endometrial cups and secrete the glycoprotein hormone equine chorionic gonadotropin (eCG), also known as pregnant mare serum gonadotropin (PMSG).
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research project
Canine endometrial organoids as a model to study endometrial disease and investigate therapeutics
Canine endometrial organoids are used to enhance our understanding of common reproductive pathologies in the bitch without the need for research animals.
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research project
Canine sperm sexing, cryopreservation, and novel therapeutics to improve reproductive performance in working dog breeding programs
Sperm sexing technology is based on the difference in DNA content between X- and Y-chromosome-bearing sperm.
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research project
Contraception
Our goals are to: 1) demonstrate that extracellular vesicles (EVs), such as those produced by organoids, display tropism toward their tissue of origin and 2) establish gene editing by EVs loaded with CRISPR-cas9 ribonucleoproteins in vitro using an oviductal organoid model and in vivo in a mouse model.
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research project
Laboratory Areas of Expertise and Research Projects
View more of the laboratory's projects along with additional information on the lab's areas of expertise.
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Publications
Production of mare chorionic girdle organoids that secrete equine chorionic gonadotropin.
RE Thompson, M Meyers, J Palmer, D N Rao Veeramachaneni, C Magee, AM De Mestre, DF Antczak, FK Hollinshead (2023). Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24, 9538. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms24119538
Bovine oviductal organoids: a multi-omics approach to capture the cellular and extracellular molecular response of the oviduct to heat stress.
Menjivar NG, Gad A, Thompson RE, Meyers MA, Hollinshead FK, Tesfaye D. BMC Genomics 2023; 24(1):646. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12864-023-09746-y
Generation and cryopreservation of feline oviductal organoids.
Thompson RE, Meyers MA, Premanandan C, Hollinshead FK (2023). Theriogenology 2023;196, 167-173. PMID: 36423511 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.theriogenology.2022.11.020
Production of extracellular vesicles from equine embryo-derived mesenchymal stromal cells.
Tasma Z, Hou W, Damani T, Seddon K, Kang M, Ge Y, Hanlon D, Hollinshead FK, Hisey CL (2022). Reproduction 2022; Aug 25;164(4):143-154. PMID: 35938796 https://doi.org/10.1530/REP-22-0215
Evaluation of growth, viability, and structural integrity of equine endometrial organoids following cryopreservation
Thompson RE, Meyers MA, Pukazhenthi BS, Hollinshead FK (2021). Cryobiology 2021; 104, 56-62. PMID: 34788682 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cryobiol.2021.11.003
more publications
40
Undergraduates, graduates, and theriogenology residents
mentored
$1.6 million
grants and awards
funded
18
manuscripts in scientific journals
published
news and updates
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February 3, 2025
Dr. Ahmed Gad awarded 3rd place for Presentation.
Dr Ahmed Gad, post doc in Hollinshead Lab, was awarded 3rd place for Poster Presentation, Translational, Advanced Career category for his poster titled , “ Investigating the role of circadian rhythms in bovine oviductal organoids and their functional implications”, at the 26th annual CVMBS Research Day on Saturday, 25th January, 2025.
January 29, 2025
Dr. Riley Thompson Admitted for the Frontiers in Reproduction: Molecular and Cellular Concepts and Applications Course.
Dr Riley Thompson, was a post-doctoral fellow in Hollinshead lab and is now a Research Scientist, was admitted for the Frontiers in Reproduction: Molecular and Cellular Concepts and Applications course at the Marine Biological Laboratory. This is a prestigious and intensive six-week laboratory and lecture course designed for advanced graduate students, post-doctoral fellows, newly independent scientists […]
January 1, 2025
Congratulations to Dr. Alex Horner.
Dr. Alex Horner Passes ACT Board Examination.
contact information
Animal Reproduction and Biotechnology Laboratory
3105 Rampart Rd, Fort Collins, CO 80521
970-491-3456
[email protected]