Principal investigator
Associate Professor Mike Garratt
Email mike.garratt@otago.ac.nz
Tel +64 3 479 5465
Fax +64 3 479 7254
Department of Anatomy website
Research interests
Our research is interested in how reproduction influences life-history, health and ageing. This includes physiological effects of gonadal-derived hormones, consequences of mating, and how detection of pheromones by the olfactory system influences life-history trajectory. A related research theme explores how sex-specific aspects of reproduction cause sexual-dimorphism in lifespan, and influence the effectiveness of interventions developed to improve healthy ageing.
Within the CNE we are interested in how the brain signals to influence health, ageing and fertility systemically. We are particularly interested in how sex-hormones and cues regarding reproduction help the body prepare for effective reproduction, and how these changes impinge on metabolism and can lead to disease.
Clinical conditions
- Gestational diabetes
- Obesity
- Ageing
Associate Professor Michael Garratt's publications – Google Scholar
Garratt Laboratory staff and students
Camlyn Allen, PgDipSci student
Dr Aline Boer, Research Fellow
Celine Camon, PhD student
Email camce602@student.otago.ac.nz
Fay Morland, Postdoctoral Fellow
Email fay.morland@otago.ac.nz
Christine Neyt, Research technician
Email christine.neyt@otago.ac.nz
Ashmita Sharma, Honours student
Laura Wilkinson, PhD student
Email willa176@student.otago.ac.nz
Cameron Young, PhD student
Email cameron.young@otago.ac.nz
Visit Our people for an alphabetical list of all Centre for Neuroendocrinology staff.
Research Funders
Publications
Garratt, M., Neyt, C., Ladyman, S. R., Pyrski, M., Zufall, F., & Leinders-Zufall, T. (2023). Sensory detection of female olfactory cues as a central regulator of energy metabolism and body weight in male mice. iScience, 26, 106455. doi: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.106455
McCormack, J. C., Roberts, R., Garratt, M., Wang, T., Hayes, J., & Peng, M. (2023). Longitudinal study of Energy, Neurosensory and Eating Responses durinG pregnancY (ENERGY cohort): A study protocol. Clinical Nutrition ESPEN. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1016/j.clnesp.2023.01.033
Herrera, J. J., Pifer, K., Louzon, S., Leander, D., Fiehn, O., Day, S. M., … Garratt, M. (2023). Early or late-life treatment with acarbose or rapamycin improves physical performance and affects cardiac structure in aging mice. Journals of Gerontology Series A, 78(3), 397-406. doi: 10.1093/gerona/glac221
Isola, J. V. V., Veiga, G. B., de Brito, C. R. C., Alvarado‑Rincón, J. A., Garcia, D. N., Zanini, B. M., … Garratt, M., … Stout, M. B. (2022). 17α-estradiol does not adversely affect sperm parameters or fertility in male mice: Implications for reproduction-longevity trade-offs. GeroScience. doi: 10.1007/s11357-022-00601-8
Garratt, M., Erturk, I., Alonso, R., Zufall, F., Leinders-Zufall, T., Pletcher, S. D., & Miller, R. A. (2022). Lifespan extension in female mice by early, transient exposure to adult female olfactory cues. eLIFE. Advance online publication. doi: 10.7554/eLife.84060