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Principal investigator

Mike Garratt 2023 imageAssociate 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

Celine Camon webCeline Camon, PhD student
Email camce602@student.otago.ac.nz

Fay Morland, Postdoctoral Fellow
Email fay.morland@otago.ac.nz

Christine Neyt webChristine Neyt, Research technician
Email christine.neyt@otago.ac.nz

Laura Wilkinson, PhD student
Email willa176@student.otago.ac.nz

Camlyn Allen, PgDipSci student

Ashmita Sharma, Honours student

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

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