Reproductive Physiology Laboratory
Associate Professor of Reproductive Physiology
Carver Complex Thomas Wing Office A-108
Phone: (256) 372-4168
Email: John.Odhiambo@aamu.edu
Research
We study physiologic and genetic regulations of reproductive function in farm animals. Specifically, we are interested in understanding the impact of maternal nutrition and/or stress on offspring health and fecundity in farm animals. Our overarching goal is to develop Dual-purpose with Dual-benefits agricultural animal model for One-Health research.
People
Dr. Odhiambo received his MS and PhD in Reproductive Physiology, and BS in Animal and Veterinary Sciences from West Virginia University. He completed his postdoctoral research fellowship at the Center for the Study of Fetal Programming, University of Wyoming, where he studied fetal origins of obesity and metabolic syndrome in ovine models of overnutrition and undernutrition. Prior to his current position, Dr. Odhiambo worked as Assistant and then Associate Professor of Animal Science at Florida A&M University where he developed a forage-based beef cow-calf management program for limited-resource production systems. He also served as faculty advisor for the college Animal Science club. In 2020, Dr. Odhiambo was credentialled in Effective College Teaching Practices by the Association of College and University Educators (ACUE) and the American Council on Education (ACE).
Jasmine Eason
Graduate Student
jasmine.eason@bulldogs.aamu.edu
Enam James Samson
Graduate Student
Publications
1: Odhiambo JF, Pankey CL, Ghnenis AB, Ford SP. A Review of Maternal Nutrition
during Pregnancy and Impact on the Offspring through Development: Evidence from
Animal Models of Over- and Undernutrition. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2020
Sep 22;17(18):6926. doi: 10.3390/ijerph17186926. PMID: 32971930; PMCID:
PMC7559343.
2: Serafim TL, Cunha-Oliveira T, Deus CM, Sardão VA, Cardoso IM, Yang S,
Odhiambo JF, Ghnenis AB, Smith AM, Li J, Nathanielsz PW, Ford SP, Oliveira PJ.
Maternal obesity in sheep impairs foetal hepatic mitochondrial respiratory chain
capacity. Eur J Clin Invest. 2021 Feb;51(2):e13375. doi: 10.1111/eci.13375. Epub
2020 Sep 12. PMID: 32780417.
3: Ghnenis AB, Odhiambo JF, Smith AM, Pankey CL, Nathanielsz PW, Ford SP. A
heretical view: rather than a solely placental protective function, placental
11β hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase 2 also provides substrate for fetal peripheral
cortisol synthesis in obese pregnant ewes. J Dev Orig Health Dis. 2021
Feb;12(1):94-100. doi: 10.1017/S2040174420000112. Epub 2020 Mar 10. PMID:32151296
4: Pankey CL, Walton MW, Odhiambo JF, Smith AM, Ghnenis AB, Nathanielsz PW, Ford
- Intergenerational impact of maternal overnutrition and obesity throughout
pregnancy in sheep on metabolic syndrome in grandsons and granddaughters. Domest
Anim Endocrinol. 2017 Jul;60:67-74. doi: 10.1016/j.domaniend.2017.04.002. Epub
2017 Apr 22. PMID: 28527530.
5: Pankey CL, Odhiambo JF, Smith AM, Ford SP. Effects of maternal obesity in an
ovine model on metabolic outcomes in F2 adults and F3 neonates. Domest Anim
Endocrinol. 2021 Jul;76:106628. doi: 10.1016/j.domaniend.2021.106628. Epub 2021
Mar 27. PMID: 33895699; PMCID: PMC8169583.
6: Ghnenis AB, Odhiambo JF, McCormick RJ, Nathanielsz PW, Ford SP. Maternal
obesity in the ewe increases cardiac ventricular expression of glucocorticoid
receptors, proinflammatory cytokines and fibrosis in adult male offspring. PLoS
One. 2017 Dec 21;12(12):e0189977. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0189977. PMID:
29267325; PMCID: PMC5739430.
7: Smith AM, Pankey CL, Odhiambo JF, Ghnenis AB, Nathanielsz PW, Ford SP. Rapid
Communication: Reduced maternal nutrition during early- to mid-gestation
elevates newborn lamb plasma cortisol concentrations and eliminates the neonatal
leptin surge. J Anim Sci. 2018 Jun 29;96(7):2640-2645. doi: 10.1093/jas/sky215.
PMID: 29982763; PMCID: PMC6095368.
8: Tuersunjiang N, Odhiambo JF, Shasa DR, Smith AM, Nathanielsz PW, Ford SP.
Maternal obesity programs reduced leptin signaling in the pituitary and altered
GH/IGF1 axis function leading to increased adiposity in adult sheep offspring.
PLoS One. 2017 Aug 3;12(8):e0181795. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0181795. PMID:
28771488; PMCID: PMC5542597.
| Class Number | Class Name | Level |
|---|---|---|
| FAS 353 | Animal Breeding and Genetics | Undergraduate |
| FAS 345 | Practicum II | Undergraduate |
| FAS 424 | Animal Models in Biomedical Research | Undergraduate |
| FAS 430L | Physiology of Reproduction Lab | Undergraduate |
Contact Us
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