About: loucks

Website

http://www.biosci.ohiou.edu/faculty/loucks

Profile

Physiology The main purpose of my laboratory is to investigate the integrative processes that regulate the human reproductive system. Our interest in this subject is motivated by the high prevalence of menstrual disorders in physically active women. These menstrual disorders include luteal suppression (reduced hormone production during the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle) and amenorrhea (absence of menstrual cycles). Progressive and apparently irreversible bone loss occurs in amenorrheic women as a result of their low estrogen levels. We are especially interested to learn whether these menstrual disorders are caused by exercise itself or by some other factor, such as under-nutrition, in the lifestyle of physically active women. We also want to identify other factors, such as body fatness, age, gender, or genetics that may modulate these effects. We further seek to discover the metabolic and endocrine mechanisms that mediate the influence of these factors on reproductive function, and to develop practical means for preventing and reversing these menstrual disorders. Another purpose of this laboratory is to investigate the integrative processes that regulate metabolic responses to exercise. Of particular interest are the endocrine mechanisms that mobilize metabolic fuels during exercise in men and women. Students working in my lab have had an interest in exercise physiology, nutrition, endocrinology, or reproductive physiology.