Mini CV

Amy T. Desaulniers, Ph.D.
Curriculum Vitae
Spring 2024

EDUCATION

Ph.D. in Reproductive Physiology (2018)

USDA-NIFA AFI ELI Predoctoral Fellow

Department of Animal Science

University of Nebraska-Lincoln

M.S. in Reproductive Physiology (2013)

Graduate Research Assistant

Department of Animal Science

University of Nebraska-Lincoln

B.S. in Animal Science (2010)

Division of Animal Sciences

University of Missouri-Columbia

 PROFESSIONAL APPOINTMENTS

Assistant Professor of Reproductive Physiology

School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences

University of Nebraska-Lincoln

2021 – Present

Assistant Professor of Biology

School of Natural Sciences

University of Central Missouri

2018 – 2021

PUBLICATIONS

14) Desaulniers, A.T., C.E. Ross, R.A. Cederberg, K.W. Lovercamp, C.A. Lents and B.R. White. Gonadotropin-releasing hormone II and its receptor regulate motility, morphology, and kinetics of porcine spermatozoa in vitro. Gen Comp Endocrinol. Dec 10:114653. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ygcen.2024.114653. 

13) Ahern, D.F., K. Martins, J. Florez, C.E. Ross, A. Huisman, R.A. Cushman, S. L. Shuping, C.C. Nestor, A.T. Desaulniers, B.R. White, T.S. Sonstegard, and C.A. Lents. Development of KISS1 knockout pigs is characterized by hypogonadotropic hypogonadism, normal growth, and reduced skatole. Biol Reprod. Nov 11;111(5):1082-1096 https://doi.org/10.1093/biolre/ioae140. 

12) Desaulniers, A.T., R.A. Cederberg, C.A. Lents and B.R. White. 2024. Knockdown of gonadotropin-releasing hormone II receptor impairs ovulation rate, corpus luteum development,        and progesterone production in gilts. Animals (Basel). 14(16), 2350; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14162350. 

11) Desaulniers, A.T. and B.R. White. 2023. Role of gonadotropin-releasing hormone 2 (GnRH2) and its receptor in human reproductive cancers. Front Endocrinol. 14:1341162. 

10) White, B.R., R.A. Cederberg, D.H. Elsken, C.E. Ross, C.A. Lents and A.T. Desaulniers. 2022. Role of gonadotropin-releasing hormone II and its receptor in swine reproduction. Mol Reprod Dev 1–11. 

9) Desaulniers, A.T., R.A. Cederberg, E.P. Carreiro, C.B. Gurumurthy and B.R. White. 2020. A transgenic pig model expressing a CMV-ZsGreen1 reporter across an extensive array of tissues. J Biomed Res, 35(2): 163–173. 

8) S. Manca, B. Upadhyaya, E. Mutai, A.T. Desaulniers, R.A. Cederberg, B.R. White and J. Zempleni. 2018. Milk exosomes are bioavailable and distinct microRNA cargos have unique distribution patterns. Sci Rep. 8(1): 11321.

7) Desaulniers, A.T., R.A. Cederberg, C.A. Lents and B.R. White. 2017. Expression and role of gonadotropin-releasing hormone 2 and its receptor in mammals. Front Endocrinol. 8:269. Invited review.

6) Lents, C.A., J.F. Thorson, A.T. Desaulniers and B.R. White. 2017. RFamide-Related Peptide 3 and Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone-II are Autocrine-Paracrine Regulators of Testis Function in the Boar. Mol Reprod Develop. 84:994 – 1003.

5) Desaulniers, A.T., R.A. Cederberg and B.R. White. 2017. Production of a gonadotropin-releasing hormone II receptor knockdown swine line. Transgenic Res. 26(4):567 – 575.

4) Desaulniers, A.T., W.R. Lamberson and T.J. Safranski. 2016. Prenatal heat stress reduces male anogenital distance at birth and adult testis size, which are rescued by concurrent maternal Artemisia absinthium consumption. J Therm Biol. 57:84 – 91.

3) Brauer, V.M., J.R. Wiarda Bell, A.T. Desaulniers, R.A. Cederberg and B.R. White. 2016. Functional activity of the porcine Gnrhr2 gene promoter in testis-derived cells is partially conferred by nuclear factor-κB, specificity protein 1 and 3 (SP1/3) and overlapping early growth response 1/SP1/3 binding sites. Gene. 587: 137 – 146.

2) Desaulniers, A.T., R.A. Cederberg, G.A. Mills, J.J. Ford, C.A. Lents and B.R. White. 2015. LH-independent testosterone secretion is mediated by the interaction between GNRH2 and its receptor within porcine testes. Biol Reprod. 93:45.

1) Thorson, J.F., A. T. Desaulniers, C. Lee, B. R. White, J. J. Ford and C. A. Lents. 2015. The role of RFamide-related peptide 3 (RFRP3) in regulation of the neuroendocrine reproductive and growth axes of the boar. Anim Reprod Sci. 159:60 – 65.

 AWARDS & HONORS

Research

2023                        Courtesy Assistant Professor, Department of Animal Science, UNL

2022                        NU 2 NIH Faculty Development Program, UNL ORED

2022                        UNL Faculty Slammer

2021                        Research Development Faculty Fellowship Program, UNL ORED

2020                        Invited Faculty Mentor, Gilbert S. Greenwald Symposium on Reproduction

2018                        Midwest American Society of Animal Science (ASAS) Young Scholar Award

2017                        Gamma Sigma Delta Outstanding Graduate Student Award

2016 – 2017            Widaman Distinguished Graduate Fellowship

2014 & 2017           USDA-NIFA-AFRI Research Merit Award

2017                        ASAS-SSR Triannual Reproduction Symposium Flash Talk Competition Finalist

2012 & 2017           IETS Society Graduate Student Oral Competition Finalist

2011 & 2015           Gilbert S. Greenwald Symposium on Reproduction Pre-Doctoral Poster Award

2015                        NPOD/NGN Graduate Student & Postdoctoral Fellow Poster Competition Award

2011 – 2012            Milton E. Mohr Biotechnology Fellowship

Teaching

2016 – 2017            Milton E. Mohr Teaching Fellowship

2016                        National Pork Board Swine Innovation Award

2014                        John Hallman Memorial Teaching Award

Travel Awards

2021                        IANR Travel Grant

2018                        UCM Scholarly Activity Fund

2016 & 2018           Large Animal Genetic Engineering Summit Trainee Travel Award

2017                        Gilbert S. Greenwald on Reproduction Trainee Travel Award

2017                        Graduate Travel Awards Program (GTAP) awardee

2012 & 2016           David H. & Anne E. Larrick Memorial Student Travel Award

2016                        Cayman Chemical Travel Grant

2014                        William G. Whitmore Memorial Student Travel Fund

Invited Talks

15.    Desaulniers, A.T. In utero heat stress programs a lifetime of reproductive failure in the boar. Purdue University. Department of Animal Science. February 23rd, 2024. 

14.    Desaulniers, A.T. Physiological effects of atrazine on swine: implications for agriculture and human health. Midwest Public Health Innovation and Research Expo (PHIRE). November 3rd, 2023.

13.    Desaulniers, A.T. Programming of testis development via milk extracellular vesicles. Veteran Affairs Nebraska-Western Iowa Health Care System Seminar Series. Online. September 22th, 2023.

12.    Desaulniers, A.T. Lactocrine Programming of the Testis is mediated by Extracellular Vesicles from Mother’s Milk. University of Wyoming. Department of Animal Science. September 20th, 2023.

11.    Desaulniers, A.T. Enhancing boar fertility in the face of climate change through the mitigation of in utero heat stress. USMARC Seminar Series. May 17th, 2023

10. Desaulniers, A.T. Milk exosomes: Facilitators of Lactocrine Programming in the Testis?

NPOD Monthly PI Meeting. Zoom.  January 20, 2023.

9.  Desaulniers, A.T. Impact of an undergraduate research experience on my career trajectory.  Swine Education & Outreach Professionals Conference. Des Moines, IA. October 27, 2022.

8.  Desaulniers, A.T. Developmental programming of testis dysfunction by in utero heat stress.  Veteran Affairs Nebraska-Western Iowa Health Care System Seminar Series. Online. September 30th, 2022.

7.  Desaulniers, A.T. Impacts of dietary milk exosome consumption on the testicular transcriptome. Nebraska Center for the Prevention of Obesity Diseases through Dietary Molecules (NPOD) External Advisory Committee Site Visit. Lincoln, NE. September 8th, 2022.

6.  Desaulniers, A.T. Use of a genetically engineered swine model to elucidate testicular function of mammals. University of Central Missouri, Department of Biology and Agriculture. Warrensburg, MO. April 6th, 2018.

5.  Desaulniers, A.T., R.A. Cederberg, C.A. Lents and B.R. White. 2018. Primary hypogonadism in gonadotropin-releasing hormone II receptor knockdown boars. ASAS/ADSA Midwestern Section Annual Meeting. Omaha, NE. March 13th, 2018.

4.  Desaulniers, A.T. Physiological mechanisms regulating male fertility. Drury University, Department of Biology. Springfield, MO. December 11th, 2017.

3.  Desaulniers, A.T. Biological mechanisms regulating male fertility. Baker University, Department of Biology and Chemistry. Baldwin City, KS. December 4th, 2017.

2.  Desaulniers, A.T. Primary hypogonadism in gonadotropin-releasing hormone II receptor knockdown boars. Iowa State University. Department of Animal Science. Ames, IA. November 20th, 2017.

1.  Desaulniers, A.T. Testicular knockdown of gonadotropin-releasing hormone II receptor impairs steroidogenesis in the boar. University of Missouri-Columbia, Division of Animal Sciences. Columbia, MO. October 24th, 2017.

ORAL PRESENTATIONS & ABSTRACTS

*Denotes my trainee(s)

  32. N.E. Nordell*, B. Mote, C.A. Lents, and A.T. Desaulniers#. 2023. Consumption of bioactive factors in mother’s milk alters the secretion of reproductive hormones within the hypothalamic-pituitary-testicular axis. 20th Annual Gilbert S. Greenwald Symposium on Reproductive and Developmental Sciences. Kansas City, KS. Elevator Pitch.

31.    L.J. Polivanov*, J. Shelton*, N.E. Nordell*, H. Qiu, E.G. Rogan, S.E. Bartelt-Hunt, M. Zahid, B.R. White, S.J. Sillman, and A.T. Desaulniers#.  2023. Maternal atrazine consumption via drinking water impairs offspring development. 20th Annual Gilbert S. Greenwald Symposium on Reproductive and Developmental Sciences. Kansas City, KS. Elevator Pitch.

30.    N.E. Nordell*, K. Sharma, B.E. Mote, V. Kumar, and A.T. Desaulniers#. 2023. Lactocrine Programming of the Porcine Testicular Proteome via Extracellular Vesicles. Rocky Mountain Reproductive Sciences Symposium. Fort Collins, CO.

29.    Nordell*, N.E., C.J. Bernhard, M. Wegner*, R. Metcalf*, J. Rupert*, D. Lagundžin, K. Sharma, K.G. Sharp, T.J. Safranski, M.C. Lucy, and A.T. Desaulniers#. 2023. In utero exposure to maternal heat stress impairs Leydig cell development and function in the boar. Midwest Animal Science. Madison, WI.  

28.    Ross, C.E., G.A. Mills, A.T. Desaulniers, C.A. Lents, and B.R. White. 2022. GnRH-II and its receptor influence sperm morphology and kinematics. Society for the Study of Reproduction Annual Meeting. Spokane, WA.

27. Clifton*, L.K., A.M. Petty*, M.L. Burns* and A.T. Desaulniers. 2022. Early weaning impairs reproductive development and fertility of the male. ASAS Midwestern Section Annual Meeting.

26. McFee, R.M. and A.T. Desaulniers. 2022. Lecture notes, online quizzes, in-class review sessions, and in-class assignments were perceived as more beneficial for student learning compared with lecture recordings for a flipped version of an animal physiology course. Veterinary Educator Collaborative Meeting.

25. Desaulniers, A.T., H.R. Wijesena, R.A. Cederberg, A.K. Lindholm-Perry, B.N. Keel, C.E. Ross, D.H. Elsken, C.A. Lents and B.R. White. 2021. The testicular transcriptome of GnRHR-II knockdown boars. Society for the Study of Reproduction Annual Meeting. Virtual.

24. Burns*, M.L., A.M. Petty*, L.K. Clifton*, K.W. Lovercamp and A.T. Desaulniers. 2021. Corn-cob bedding impairs the development and long-term function of murine testes. Gilbert S. Greenwald Symposium on Reproduction and Regenerative Medicine. Virtual Flash Talk.

23. Burns*, M.L., A.M. Petty*, L.K. Clifton*, K.W. Lovercamp and A.T. Desaulniers. 2021. Exposure to corn-cob bedding during pubertal development impairs testosterone secretion and seminal vesicle development in male mice. 25th Annual MKN McNair Heartland Research Conference. Kansas City, MO.

22.    Burns*, M.L., A.M. Petty*, L.K. Clifton*, K.W. Lovercamp and A.T. Desaulniers. 2021. Effects of corn-cob bedding on murine testis development and function. UCM McNair Symposium. Warrensburg, MO.

21. Petty*, A.M., K.W. Lovercamp and A.T. Desaulniers. 2020. Elucidating steroidogenesis in the neonatal boar. Gilbert S. Greenwald Symposium on Reproduction and Regenerative Medicine. Virtual Flash Talk.

20.    Petty*, A.M., and A.T. Desaulniers. 2020. Bioavailability of seminal plasma-derived exosomes in the female reproductive tract. 24th Annual MKN Heartland McNair Conference. Virtual Oral Presentation.

19. Petty*, A.M., and A.T. Desaulniers. 2020. Isolation of ZsGreen1-Labeled Exosomes from Seminal Plasma of Transgenic Boars. UCM Undergraduate Research Fair. Warrensburg, MO.*Abstract accepted but presentation canceled due to COVID-19

18. Ebrecht*, M.A., B.R. White, K.W. Lovercamp and A.T. Desaulniers. 2020. Effects of Exogenous GnRH-II Treatment on Motility of Porcine Spermatozoa. UCM Undergraduate Research Fair. Warrensburg, MO. Oral Presentation. *Abstract accepted but presentation canceled due to COVID-19

17.     Ebrecht*, M.A., A.T. Desaulniers and K.W. Lovercamp. 2019. Effect of gonadotropin-releasing hormone-II (GnRH-II) on boar sperm quality when stored in a long-term semen extender. 23rd Annual MKN Heartland McNair Research Conference. Kansas City, MO. Oral Presentation.

16. Ebrecht*, M.A., A.T. Desaulniers and K.W. Lovercamp. 2019. Effect of gonadotropin-releasing hormone-II (GnRH-II) on boar sperm quality when stored in a long-term semen extender. UCM McNair Scholars Research Symposium. Warrensburg, MO. Oral Presentation.

15. Desaulniers, A.T., R.A. Cederberg, G.A. Mills and B.R. White. Use of genetically engineered pigs to elucidate the reproductive physiology of the boar. 2019. Missouri Physiological Society. Columbia, MO.

14. Desaulniers, A.T., R.A. Cederberg, G.A. Mills and B.R. White. A transgenic swine model to elucidate ovarian steroidogenesis in gilts. 2018. Large Animal Genetic Engineering Summit. Park City, UT.

13. Desaulniers, A.T., R.A. Cederberg, G.A. Mills and B.R. White. 2018. Aberrant corpus luteum development and function in GnRH-II receptor knockdown gilts. Society for the Study of Reproduction Annual Meeting. New Orleans, LA. Flash talk.

12. Desaulniers, A.T., R.A. Cederberg, G.A. Mills and B.R. White. Knockdown of GnRH-II receptor alters corpus luteum development and function in gilts. 2018. Rocky Mountain Reproductive Sciences Symposium. Fort Collins, CO.

11. Desaulniers, A.T., R.A. Cederberg, C.A. Lents and B.R. White. 2017. Knockdown of the GnRH-II receptor in the porcine testis impairs the biosynthesis of 10 gonadal steroids. Society for the Study of Reproduction Annual Meeting. Washington, D.C.

10. Desaulniers, A.T., E.P. Carreiro, R.A. Cederberg, C.A. Lents and B.R. White. 2017. Testis composition and steroidogenic protein abundance in GnRH-II receptor knockdown boars. ASAS-SSR Triannual Reproduction Symposium and Society for the Study of Reproduction Annual Meeting. Washington, D.C. Flash talk.

9.  Desaulniers, A.T., R.A. Cederberg, R.V. Knox, C.A. Lents and B.R. White. 2017. GnRHR-II knockdown swine have constitutively lower serum testosterone concentrations, impaired sensitivity to GnRH analogues and reduced semen quality. International Conference on Pig Reproduction. Columbia, MO.

8.  Desaulniers, A.T., R.A. Cederberg, C.A. Lents and B.R. White. 2017. Testicular GnRH-II receptor knockdown impairs diurnal testosterone secretion in the boar. International Embryo Technology Society (IETS) Annual Meeting. Austin, TX.

7.  Desaulniers, A.T., R.A. Cederberg, C.A. Lents and B.R. White. 2016. Use of genetically engineered swine to elucidate testis function in the boar. Large Animal Genetic Engineering Summit. Bethesda, MD.

6.  Desaulniers, A.T., R.A. Cederberg, G.A. Mills, C.A. Lents and B.R. White. 2016. Effect of gonadotropin-releasing hormone II receptor (GnRHR-II) knockdown on testosterone secretion in the boar. Society for the Study of Reproduction Meeting. San Diego, CA.

5.  Desaulniers, A.T., R.A. Cederberg, G.A. Mills, C.A. Lents and B.R. White. 2016. Gonadotropin-releasing hormone II receptor (GnRHR-II) knockdown reduces testis size and decreases testosterone secretion during pubertal development in swine. ASAS/ADSA Midwestern Section Annual Meeting. Des Moines, IA.

4.  Desaulniers, A.T., R.M. McFee and B.R. White. 2016. Evaluation of case-based reasoning to promote learning and swine industry interest in an undergraduate reproductive physiology course. ASAS/ADSA Midwestern Section Annual Meeting. Des Moines, IA.

3.  Desaulniers, A.T., R.A. Cederberg, G.A. Mills, C.A. Lents and B.R. White. 2014. LH-independent testosterone secretion is mediated by the interaction between GnRH2 and its receptor within the testis. Society for the Study of Reproduction Annual Meeting. Grand Rapids, MI.

2.  Desaulniers, A. T., A. M. Voss, R.A. Cederberg, C. Lee, G. A. Mills, M. D. Snyder, and B.R. White. 2012. Production of GnRH-II receptor knockdown swine. International Embryo Transfer Society (IETS) Annual Meeting. Phoenix, AZ.

1.  Desaulniers, A. T., and T. J. Safranski. 2010. Retrospective analysis of factors affecting sperm production/quality measures in a boar stud. ASAS/ADSA Midwestern Section Annual Meeting. Des Moines, IA.

PROFESSIONAL SOCIETY MEMBERSHIPS

Great Plains IDeA-CTR (Fall 2022 – Present)

Nebraska Center for the Prevention of Obesity Diseases (NPOD; Spring 2022 – Present)

Association for Women in Science (2021 – Present)

American Physiological Society (2018 – Present)

American Society of Animal Science (2010 – Present)

Society for the Study of Reproduction (2013 – Present)

North American Colleges and Teachers of Agriculture (2021 – Present)

Gamma Sigma Delta (2016 – Present)

Missouri Physiological Society (2019 – 2021)

Missouri Academy of Sciences (2020 – 2021)

International Embryo Technology Society (2012 – 2018)

Nebraska Physiological Society (2013 – 2014)