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Ingermann Lab |
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Dr.
Rolf L. Ingermann,
Department of Biological Sciences,
University of Idaho,
Moscow, Idaho |
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Welcome to the Ingermann Lab!
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My research interests are
primarily in the reproductive physiology of fish and are focused at the
biochemical, cellular and organismic levels.
My lab is currently examining
various physiological aspects of the gametes of salmonids (steelhead trout
and chinook salmon) and sturgeon.
For example, we have recently found that
in vitro exposure of salmonid, as well as sturgeon sperm to modest levels of
CO2 or low pH inhibits motility and fertility. We have also
found that semen has a very low buffering capacity. Together, these
observations suggest that sperm motility and fertility should be very
vulnerable to conditions such as exhaustive exercise or environmental
acidosis or hypercapnia.
We have therefore become interested in such
questions as:
- Do such conditions have a deleterious impact on sperm in
vivo, that is, does the intact male protect or shield the sperm under such
conditions?
- How is pH regulated in the sperm? How does CO2 or
low pH block the onset of motility?
We are interested in the extent to
which salmonid sperm and eggs rely on stored (versus newly synthesized)
adenosine triphosphate (ATP) at the onset of motility in sperm and at the
moment of fertilization in eggs and are examining mechanisms by which those
ATP levels can be manipulated prior to fertilization. Some of our current
studies are also examining the impacts of commonly used fish anesthetics on salmonid gamete quality.
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We are very grateful to the staff of the
Dworshak National Fish Hatchery (Ahsahka,
ID) for steelhead trout and chinook salmon eggs and sperm. |
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In addition to work on fish, we are engaged in
collaborative research on the effects of endocrine disrupting chemicals on
amphibian development and physiology.
Our work to date has focused
on the effects of the estrogenic pesticide Methoxychlor on larval development of
the salamander, Ambystoma macrodactylum.
I am the chairman of the Allied Health Studies Committee and am the
pre-medical/pre-dental/pre-physical
therapy adviser for the University of Idaho.
Please view the
UI Pre-Med Manual (PDF file) for more details. |
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Josh Woolsey, Michael Holcomb, Rolf Ingermann |
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Please go to the Lab Members page to find
out more about the students and scientists who work in my lab.
Please go to the Research page to find out
more about our ongoing projects.
Please go to the Courses page to view
current course materials.
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Interested in working with us?
Please go to the Lab Openings page.
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