![[Dept. of Animal Sciences]](../../images/animalsciences.gif "[Dept. of Animal Sciences]"){kind=small}
Senior Associate Director, NJ Agricultural Experiment Station |
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Research
My lab studies the endocrine basis of sexual behavior in ruminants. We are particularly interested in understanding sexual motivation and performance in males and attractivity, proceptivity, and receptivity in females. Recent studies have examined androgen-dependent olfactory signals emitted by males that females use to choose among the males. We also study reproduction in white-tailed deer as it relates to wildlife damage control.
My major research describes the endocrine basis of sexual behavior in domesticated ruminants. My training in animal science, animal behavior and reproductive physiology assists me in blending these disciplines into a novel field of investigation. In addition, New Jersey's deer and human populations all too frequently conflict, thus we have begun studying wildlife reproductive management. This exciting challenge requires knowledge of both the reproductive biology of animals, and the social organization of a non-domesticated species thriving in close proximity to humans.
Some of my significant contributions to the field of domestic animal behavioral endocrinology include:
• |
characterization of physical and social factors that influence tests designed for quantifying sexual performance or sex drive in domestic ruminants |
| • | standardization of sexual performance tests in domestic ruminants |
| • | demonstration of the importance of early rearing and sexual experiences on adult sexual performance in domestic ruminants |
| • | development of behavioral tests designed to discriminate motivational components from physical components in the quantification of sexual performance in domestic ruminants |
| • | demonstration of the relationship between photoperiod, prolactin concentrations and the behavioral response to estradiol in female goats |
| • | demonstration of the existence of an olfactory cue that stimulates enhanced sexual performance in male sheep |
| • | demonstration of a role for the vomeronasal organ in neonatal offspring recognition in sheep |
| • | demonstration of the importance of testosterone and not sexual experience in the development of a preference for females in male goats |
| • | demonstration that female goats prefer males and/or male odor; and this preference depends upon high serum concentrations of testosterone in the males |
Specific Projects
We are currently exploring sexual selection in goats, with emphasis on female choice. We have shown that females in estrus prefer males and their odors if the males have high concentrations of serum testosterone. We are attempting to identify putative pheromones in male urine; and whether estrus females make the discrimination among males using ordinary or accessory olfactory systems.
Special Techniques
The unique tools of our laboratory are behavioral in nature. We ask socially and physiologically relevant questions that can be answered by the animals through the expression of specific behavioral events. Our endocrine laboratory has validated assays for the measurement of sex steroids and anterior pituitary hormones in sheep, goats and deer.
Experience
Title |
Location |
Year |
| Professor | Rutgers University | 2009 |
| Director, Cooperative Extension and Associate Director, NJ Agricultural Experiment Station | Rutgers University | 2008 |
| Department Chair | Rutgers University | 2002 |
| Acting Department Chair | Rutgers University | 2001 |
| Associate Professor | Rutgers University |
1995 |
| Assistant Professor | Rutgers University | 1989 |
| Research Physiologist | University of California at Berkeley | 1986 |
| Post-Graduate Researcher VI | University of California at Davis | 1985 |
Education
Degree |
Location |
Year |
| NIH Post-Doctoral Training Fellowship | Colorado State University, Fort Collins | 1984 |
| Ph.D. | Animal Behavior, University of California at Davis | 1984 |
| M.S. | Reproductive Physiology, Cornell University | 1979 |
| B.S. | Animal Science, Cornell University | 1976 |
National Committees
Board of Directors| American Animal Welfare Foundation | |
| National Animal Interest Alliance |
Professional Societies
American Association for the Advancement of ScienceAmerican Society of Animal Science
Animal Behavior Society
Council for Agricultural Science and Technology
International Society of Applied Ethology
Sigma Xi, The Scientific Research Society
Society for Behavioral Neuroendocrinology
Society for the Study of Reproduction
The Wildlife Society
Editorial Positions
Applied Animal Behaviour Science
Current Research Faculty and Graduate Students
Susan E. Becker, Research Assistant, Reproductive physiology of white-tailed deer
Kristy Longpre
Undergraduate Courses
| 11:067:275 | Lab Animal Science |
| 11:067:335 | Livestock Prod & Mgmt I |
| 11:067:336 | Livestock Prod & Mgmt II |
| 01:119:102 | General Biology |
| 11:067:327 | Animal Reproduction |
| 11:067:142 | Animal Science |
Representative Publications
Imwalle, D.B., A. R. Lehrer and L.S. Katz. 2007. Intravaginal impedance and sexual behavior of ovariectomized goats given estrogen alone or in combination with progesterone. J. Animal Science 85: 1908-1913.
Katz, L.S. 2007. Sexual behavior of domesticated ruminants. Hormones and Behavior 52: 56-63.
Shearer, M.K. and L.S. Katz. 2006. Female-female mounting among goats stimulates sexual performance in males. Hormones and Behavior 50:33-37.
Katz, Larry S. Behavior: Reproductive. 2004. In Encyclopedia of Animal Science; Pond, Wilson G., Bell, Alan W., Eds.; Marcel Dekker, Inc.: New York.
Imwalle, D.B. and L.S. Katz. 2004. Development of sexual behavior over several serving capacity tests in male goats. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 89:315-319.
Imwalle, D.B. and L.S. Katz. 2004. Divergent roles for estrogens and androgens in expression of female goat sexual behavior.Hormones and Behavior 46: 54-58.
Savage, A.F., Maull J., Tian X.C., Taneja M., Katz L., Darre M., and Yang X. 2003. Behavioral Observations of Adolescent Holstein Heifers Cloned from Adult Somatic Cells. Theriogenology 60 (6): 1097-1110.
Booth, K.K. and L.S. Katz. 2000. Role of the vomeronasal organ in neonatal offspring recognition in sheep. Biology of Reproduction. 63:953-958.
Becker, S.E., Enright, W.J., and L.S. Katz. 1999. Active immunization against gonadotropin-releasing hormone in female white-tailed deer. Zoo Biology 18:385-396.
Billings, H.J. and L.S. Katz. 1999. Facilitation of sexual behavior in French-Alpine goats treated with intravaginal progesterone releasing devices and estradiol in both the breeding and nonbreeding seasons. J. Animal Science 77: 2073-2078.
Maina, D. and L.S. Katz. 1999. Scent of a ewe: transmission of a social cue by conspecifics affects sexual performance in Ovis aries. Biology of Reproduction 60: 1373-1377.
Billings, H.J. and L.S. Katz. 1999. Male influence on proceptivity in ovariectomized French-Alpine goats (Capra hircus). Applied Animal Behaviour Science 64: 181-191.
Billings, H.J. and L.S. Katz. 1998. Threshold dose of estradiol for inducing sexual receptivity in ovariectomized French-Alpine goats. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 57:109-116.
Becker, S.E. and Katz, L.S. 1997. Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) analogs or active immunization against GnRH to control fertility in wildlife. In: Kreeger,T.J., tech. coord. Contraception in Wildlife Management. Tech. Bull. 1853. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service: 11-19.
Mason, J.R., Bean, N.J., Katz, L.S. and Hales, H. 1997. Development of a bait for the oral delivery of pharmaceuticals to white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus). In: Kreeger,T.J., tech. coord. Contraception in Wildlife Management. Tech. Bull. 1853. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service: 59-67.
Billings, H.J. and L.S. Katz. 1997. Progesterone facilitation and inhibition of estradiol-induced sexual behavior in the female goat. Hormones and Behavior 31:47-53.
Maina, D. and L.S. Katz. 1997. Exposure to a recently mated conspecific may enhance ram sexual performance. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 51:69-74.
Book Chapters and Symposium Proceedings
Katz, L.S. 1987. Endocrine systems and behavior. Veterinary Clinics of North America: Food Animal Practice 3:393-404.
Becker, S.E. and Katz, L.S. 1997. Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) analogs or active immunization against GnRH to control fertility in wildlife. In: Kreeger, T.J., tech. coord. Contraception in Wildlife Management. Tech. Bull. 1853. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service: 11-19.
Mason, J.R., Bean, N.J., Katz, L.S. and Hales, H. 1997. Development of a bait for the oral delivery of pharmaceuticals to white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus). In: Kreeger, T.J., tech. coord. Contraception in Wildlife Management. Tech. Bull. 1853. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service: 59-67.
Benson, M.E., Hinds, F.C., Johnson, D.W., Katz, L.S., Menzies, C.S., Williams, C.S.F., and Wolf, C.B. 1999. Sheep and Goat Husbandry. In: Guide For the Care and Use of Agricultural Animals in Agricultural Research and Teaching. Federation of Animal Science Societies, 67-71.
Becker, S.E. and Katz, L.S. 1999. A Case Study of Malignant Catarrhal Fever in Captive White-tailed Deer. The North American Deer Farmer, Late Summer 1999:11-12,24.
Refereed Publications
Heckman, G.S., L.S. Katz, R.H. Foote, E.A.B. Oltenacu, N.R. Scott and R.A. Marshall. 1978. Estrous cycle patterns in cattle monitored by electrical resistance and milk progesterone. J. Dairy Science 62:64-68.
Katz, L.S., E.A.B. Oltenacu and R.H. Foote. 1980. The behavioral responses in ovariectomized cattle to either estradiol, testosterone, androstenedione, or dihydrotestosterone. Hormones and Behavior 14:224-235.
Dykeman, D.A., L.S. Katz and R.H. Foote. 1982. Behavioral characteristics of beef steers administered estradiol, testosterone and dihydrotestosterone. J. Animal Science 55:1303-1309.
Butler, W.R., L.S. Katz, J. Arriola, R.A. Milvae and R.H. Foote. 1983. On the negative feedback regulation of gonadotropins in castrate and intact cattle with comparison of two FSH radioimmunoassays. J. Animal Science 56:919-929.
Price, E.O., V.M. Smith and L.S. Katz. 1984. Sexual stimulation of male dairy goats. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 13:83-92.
Price, E.O., L.S. Katz, G.P. Moberg and S.J.R. Wallach. 1986. Inability to predict sexual and aggressive behaviors by plasma concentrations of testosterone and luteinizing hormone in Hereford bulls. J. Animal Science 62:613-617.
Katz, L.S. and E.O. Price. 1986. The role of penile stimulation and ejaculatory experience on the development and maintenance of reproductive behavior in the bull (Bos taurus). Developmental Psychobiology 19:197-209.
Price, E.O., V.M. Smith and L.S. Katz. 1986. Stimulus conditions influencing self-enurination, genital grooming and flehmen in male goats. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 16:371-381.
Dunn, G.C., E.O. Price and L.S. Katz. 1987. Fostering calves by odor transfer. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 17:33-39.
Doherty, W.C., E.O. Price and L.S. Katz. 1987. A note on activity monitoring as a supplement to estrus detection methods for dairy goats. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 17:347-351.
Griffen, S.C., S.M. Russell, L.S. Katz and C.S. Nicoll. 1987. Insulin exerts metabolic and growth-promoting effects by a direct action on the liver in vivo: clarification of the functional significance of the portal vascular link between the beta cells of the pancreatic islets and the liver. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 84:7300-7304.
Katz, L.S., E.O. Price, S.J.R. Wallach and J.J. Zenchak. 1988. Sexual performance of rams reared with or without females after weaning. J. Animal Science 66:1166-1173.
Zenchak, J.J., L.S. Katz, E.O. Price and S.J.R. Wallach. 1988. Sexual behavior of rams as influenced by the degree of restraining estrous ewes and by the additional presence of anestrous ewes. J. Animal Science 66:2851-2855.
Price, E.O., L.S. Katz, S.J.R. Wallach and J.J. Zenchak. 1988. The relationship of male-male mounting to the sexual preferences of young rams. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 21:347-355.
English, D.E., S.M. Russell, L.S. Katz and C.S. Nicoll. 1990. Evidence for a role of the liver in the mammotrophic action of prolactin. Endocrinology 126:2252-2256.
Katz, L.S., and T.J. McDonald. 1992. Sexual behavior of farm animals. In: Reproduction in Farm Animals: Science, Application and Models. Theriogenology 38:240-254.
Katz, L.S. and C.S. Nicoll 1993. Evidence for a role of the liver in mediating the luteotropic action of prolactin in rats. Biology of Reproduction 48:512-514.
Schlechter, N.L., L.S. Katz, S.M. Russell and C.S. Nicoll 1993. Physiological evaluation of the role of the liver as a mediator of the growth promoting action of somatotrophin. Zoological Science 10:235-244.
Regisford, E.G.C. and L.S. Katz. 1993. Effects of bromocriptine-induced hypoprolactinemia on gonadotropin secretion and testicular function in rams (Ovis aries) during two seasons. J. Reproduction and Fertility 99:529-537.
Regisford, E.G.C. and L.S. Katz 1994. Effects of bromocriptine treatment on the expression of sexual behavior in male sheep (Ovis aries). J. Animal Science 72:591-597.
Becker, S.E. and L.S. Katz. 1994. Effects of exogenous prostaglandin-F2a (PGF2a) on pregnancy status in white-tailed deer. Zoo Biology 13:315-323.
Kaplan, D.H. and L.S. Katz. 1994. Exposure to constant photoperiod alters serum prolactin concentrations and behavioral response to estradiol in the ovariectomized goat. J. Animal Science 72:3088-3097.
Wohlt, J.E., M.E. Allyn, P.K. Zajac and L.S. Katz. 1994. Cortisol increases in plasma of Holstein heifer calves from handling and method of electrical dehorning. J. Dairy Science 77:3725-3729.
Katz, L.S. 1995. The liver participates in the luteotropic action of prolactin in rats. Assisted Reproductive Technology / Andrology 7:157-161.
Becker, S.E. and L.S. Katz. 1995. Effect of a gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist on serum luteinizing hormone concentrations in female white-tailed deer. Small Ruminant Research 18:145-150.
Kaplan, D.H. and L.S. Katz. 1995. Luteinizing hormone response to estradiol positive feedback is not an effective endocrine parameter to monitor photoresponsiveness in ovariectomized goats (Capra hircus). Small Ruminant Research 18:239-244.
John-Alder, H.B., S. McMann, L.S. Katz, A. Gross and D.S. Green. 1996. Social modulation of exercise endurance in a lizard (Sceloporus undulatus). Physiological Zoology 69:547-567.
Maina, D. and L.S. Katz. 1997. Exposure to a recently mated conspecific may enhance ram sexual performance. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 51:69-74.
Billings, H.J. and L.S. Katz. 1997. Progesterone facilitation and inhibition of estradiol-induced sexual behavior in the female goat. Hormones and Behavior 31:47-53.
Billings, H.J. and L.S. Katz. 1998. Threshold dose of estradiol for inducing sexual receptivity in ovariectomized French-Alpine goats. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 57:109-116.
Maina, D. and L.S. Katz. 1999. Scent of a ewe: transmission of a social cue by conspecifics affects sexual performance in Ovis aries. Biology of Reproduction 60: 1373-1377 .
Billings, H.J. and L.S. Katz. 1999. Male influence on proceptivity in ovariectomized French-Alpine goats (Capra hircus). Applied Animal Behaviour Science 64:181-191.
Billings, H.J. and L.S. Katz. 1999. Facilitation of sexual behavior in French-Alpine goats treated with intravaginal progesterone releasing devices and estradiol in both the breeding and nonbreeding seasons. J. Animal Science 77: 2073-2078.
Becker, S.E. Enright, W.J., and L.S. Katz. 1999. Active immunization against gonadotropin-releasing hormone in female white-tailed deer. Zoo Biology 18:385-396.
Booth, KK and L.S. Katz. 2000. The role of the vomeronasal organ in neonatal offspring recognition in sheep. Biology of Reproduction 63:953-958.
Becker, S.E. and L.S. Katz. submitted. Reproductive season, serum progesterone and serum prolactin concentrations in non-pregnant, captive white-tailed deer. J. Mammology.
Maina, D. and L.S. Katz. submitted. Plasma oxytocin concentrations in rams during sexual activity. Hormones and Behavior.
Maina, D. and L.S. Katz. submitted. Plasma oxytocin concentrations in Ovis aries rams throughout the day. General and Comparative Endocrinology.