William S. Evans

Dr. William S. Evans' clinical research program is focused on elucidating the function(s) of the hypothalamic, pituitary and ovarian components of the female reproductive axis. Biomathematical modeling techniques are used to define and quantitate hormone secretion by the GnRH neuronal system within the hypothalamus; by the gonadotropes within the anterior pituitary gland which secrete luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH); and by the theca and granulosa cells within the ovary which secrete a number of gonadal hormones in response to LH and FSH stimulation. Other biomathematical techniques are used to define both feedforward and feedback effects of such reproductive hormone in terms of the overall reproductive axis network. The primary objective of these studies is to gain a better understanding of how these systems perform under physiological circumstances—including those associated with normal aging and the menopausal transition—and within pathophysiological circumstances which may result in menstrual dysfunction, infertility and miscarriage such as is seen in the polycystic ovary syndrome.