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Contact Details

Phone
+64 3 479 7320
Email
hod.anatomy@otago.ac.nz
Position
Professor and Head of Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Biomedical Sciences
Department
Department of Anatomy
Qualifications
BSc(Hons) PhD (Linc)
Research summary
Neuroendocrinology

Research

The neuroendocrine control of reproduction.

Professor Anderson's neuroendocrinology research group focuses on the neuroendocrine regulation of fertility by nutritional factors (leptin, insulin and ghrelin) and novel neuropeptides (RFamide-related peptide or gonadotrophin inhibitory hormone). The group also investigates effects of reproductive experience on central effects of prolactin. The Anderson Neuroendocrinology Research Group forms one of the laboratories that make up the University of Otago's Centre for Neuroendocrinology.

Research interests

  1. The neural pathways by which the central drivers of fertility, GnRH neurons, sense the hormone leptin in order to respond to the animal's nutritional status (Health Research Council funded).
  2. The mechanisms by which the recently-discovered brain peptide RFRP-3 regulates GnRH and LH secretion in mammals (Marsden funded).

Using a combination of transgenic animal models, single cell measurement techniques and visualisation of cell signalling in specific target neurons, we hope to elucidate the neural pathways by which leptin and GnIH regulate reproduction. This knowledge may lead to new and improved treatment strategies for infertility. In addition, we may discover novel neurochemical targets that could be safely exploited for contraceptive purposes.

For research queries:

Email greg.anderson@otago.ac.nz

Publications

Stevenson, K. A., Kerbus, R., Anderson, G. M., & Decourt, C. (2026). Sustained induction of PMOS-like phenotype in mice exposed to letrozole in drinking water. Journal of Neuroendocrinology, 38(10), e70294. doi: 10.1111/jne.70294 Journal - Research Article

Anderson, G. M., Rajan, A. S., Lord, R. A., Inglis, M. A., & Decourt, C. (2025). Neuronal CRTC1 modulates pubertal timing and body weight in mice. Journal of the Endocrine Society, 9(Suppl. 1), A780. doi: 10.1210/jendso/bvaf149.1477 Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

Rogers, L. M., Lash, G. E., Anderson, G. M., & Girling, J. E. (2025). Modelling menstruation in the common mouse: A narrative review. Reproduction, Fertility & Development, 37, RD25055. doi: 10.1071/rd25055 Journal - Research Other

Evans, M. C., Stowe, S. M., Sawyer, I. L., Decourt, C., Lee, F., Kauffman, A. S., & Anderson, G. M. (2025). RFRP neurons are required for acute stress-induced suppression of the estrogen-stimulated LH surge in female mice. Endocrinology. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1210/endocr/bqaf106 Journal - Research Article

Lord, R. A., Inglis, M. A., Juengel, J. L., & Anderson, G. M. (2025). A leptin receptor mutation which impairs fertility in ewes causes delayed puberty in male and female mice. Endocrinology, 166, bqaf058. doi: 10.1210/endocr/bqaf058 Journal - Research Article

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