Welcome to Winuthayanon Lab

Our Research on Sex Steroid Hormones & Female Reproductive Biology

Reproductive health is essential for individual well-being and population dynamics. Our research explores the biological mechanisms underlying fertility and early pregnancy, with two key focuses: helping those struggling with infertility and developing novel, non-hormonal contraceptive methods. By advancing our understanding of reproductive processes, we aim to provide options for individuals seeking to conceive as well as those looking for effective family planning solutions. As the global population surpasses 8 billion, reproductive research plays a vital role in promoting informed choices and balancing fertility support with sustainable contraception strategies.

Multiple types of cells in that female reproductive tract work in concert to provide an optimal microenvironment for gametes (eggs and sperm) and embryos to establish a successful pregnancy. At Winuthayanon Lab, we focus on studying how ovarian steroid hormones (estrogen and progesterone) affect fertility during sperm migration, fertilization, embryo development, and embryo transport within the female reproductive tract. We use genetic-engineered mouse models to dissect the molecular mechanisms and functional requirement of estrogen and progesterone signals through their classical nuclear receptors (estrogen receptor; ESR1 and progesterone receptor; PGR) during early pregnancy. Our research aims to provide fundamental knowledge in reproductive biology during early pregnancy as well as potential contraceptive targets for women and therapeutic approaches for infertility in humans.