Laboratory for Evolutionary Endocrinology

Visit Blog Website

17 posts · 7,932 views

Blog for the University of Illinois Laboratory for Evolutionary Endocrinology. We discuss academic life, goings on in the lab, and current research.

Kate Clancy
17 posts

Sort by: Latest Post, Most Popular

View by: Condensed, Full

  • April 12, 2011
  • 04:15 AM
  • 322 views

LabEvoEndo Journal Club: Dana Ahern presents on PMDD

by Kate Clancy in Laboratory for Evolutionary Endocrinology

This is the third guest post of the LabEvoEndo Journal Club, a new series for the LabEvoEndo blog meant to highlight student contributions to the lab (first post here, second post here). The author is Honors Anthropology Junior Dana Ahern. Dana has been in my lab since her sophomore year.


* * *
I’d like to start this blog post with a little background on progesterone. Progesterone is fascinating and it affects a lot more than just the menstrual cycle. We are starting to understand just how........ Read more »

Rapkin AJ, Berman SM, Mandelkern MA, Silverman DH, Morgan M, & London ED. (2011) Neuroimaging evidence of cerebellar involvement in premenstrual dysphoric disorder. Biological psychiatry, 69(4), 374-80. PMID: 21092938  

  • April 4, 2011
  • 12:03 PM
  • 469 views

LabEvoEndo Journal Club: Sophia Bodnar presents on cervical cancer

by Kate Clancy in Laboratory for Evolutionary Endocrinology

Student blogging on cervical cancer and immunology, particular in understanding variation in cytokines, chemokines, and proportions of columnar vs squamous cervical cells.... Read more »

  • March 24, 2011
  • 03:21 PM
  • 441 views

LabEvoEndo Journal Club: Laura Klein presents on food allergies

by Kate Clancy in Laboratory for Evolutionary Endocrinology

Undergraduate Laura Klein reviews an article on food allergies.... Read more »

Christie L, Hine RJ, Parker JG, & Burks W. (2002) Food allergies in children affect nutrient intake and growth. Journal of the American Dietetic Association, 102(11), 1648-51. PMID: 12449289  

Fernandez-Rivas, M, & Miles, S. (2007) Chapter 1. Food allergies: Clinical and Psychosocial Perspectives. Plant Food Allergens. info:/

  • January 31, 2011
  • 03:40 PM
  • 305 views

Iron-deficiency is not something you get just for being a lady

by Kate Clancy in Laboratory for Evolutionary Endocrinology

This post uses literature review, my own empirical research, and a new paper to demonstrate that menstrual cycling does not impact iron status in women. This goes against a major, prevailing medical notion and inhibits appropriate diagnosis in anemic women.... Read more »

  • January 4, 2011
  • 03:51 PM
  • 399 views

Around the web: cognitive sex differences

by Kate Clancy in Laboratory for Evolutionary Endocrinology

A dissection and link round-up about cognitive sex differences.... Read more »

  • October 6, 2010
  • 04:10 PM
  • 368 views

My IVF story: after conception, being preggers

by Kate Clancy in Laboratory for Evolutionary Endocrinology

This is the second of a four part series on IVF, pregnancy and labor.... Read more »

Decker, E., Engelmann, G., Findeisen, A., Gerner, P., Laass, M., Ney, D., Posovszky, C., Hoy, L., & Hornef, M. (2010) Cesarean Delivery Is Associated With Celiac Disease but Not Inflammatory Bowel Disease in Children. PEDIATRICS, 125(6). DOI: 10.1542/peds.2009-2260  

de Groot LC, Boekholt HA, Spaaij CK, van Raaij JM, Drijvers JJ, van der Heijden LJ, van der Heide D, & Hautvast JG. (1994) Energy balances of healthy Dutch women before and during pregnancy: limited scope for metabolic adaptations in pregnancy. The American journal of clinical nutrition, 59(4), 827-32. PMID: 8147326  

Johnstone, F., Prescott, R., Steel, J., Mao, J., Chambers, S., & Muir, N. (1996) Clinical and ultrasound prediction of macrosomia in diabetic pregnancy. BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, 103(8), 747-754. DOI: 10.1111/j.1471-0528.1996.tb09868.x  

Roduit, C., Scholtens, S., de Jongste, J., Wijga, A., Gerritsen, J., Postma, D., Brunekreef, B., Hoekstra, M., Aalberse, R., & Smit, H. (2009) Asthma at 8 years of age in children born by caesarean section. Thorax, 64(2), 107-113. DOI: 10.1136/thx.2008.100875  

  • August 31, 2010
  • 01:47 PM
  • 425 views

Adolescent Menstrual Variation and Oral Contraceptives

by Kate Clancy in Laboratory for Evolutionary Endocrinology

This post reviews current knowledge about adolescent menstrual cycling and oral contraceptive use, making recommendations for future research.... Read more »

American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Adolescence, American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists Committee on Adolescent Health Care, Diaz A, Laufer MR, & Breech LL. (2006) Menstruation in girls and adolescents: using the menstrual cycle as a vital sign. Pediatrics, 118(5), 2245-50. PMID: 17079600  

Andrist LC, Arias RD, Nucatola D, Kaunitz AM, Musselman BL, Reiter S, Boulanger J, Dominguez L, & Emmert S. (2004) Women's and providers' attitudes toward menstrual suppression with extended use of oral contraceptives. Contraception, 70(5), 359-63. PMID: 15504373  

APTER, D. (1997) Development of the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Ovarian Axis. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, 816(1 Adolescent Gy), 9-21. DOI: 10.1111/j.1749-6632.1997.tb52125.x  

Morimatsu, Y., Matsubara, S., Watanabe, T., Hashimoto, Y., Matsui, T., Asada, K., & Suzuki, M. (2009) Future recovery of the normal menstrual cycle in adolescent patients with secondary amenorrhea. Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Research, 35(3), 545-550. DOI: 10.1111/j.1447-0756.2009.01014.x  

  • August 3, 2010
  • 04:50 PM
  • 348 views

Which is more safe: home birth or hospital birth?

by Kate Clancy in Laboratory for Evolutionary Endocrinology

An anthropologist's take on the current AJOG article and Lancet editorial on home birth and infant mortality... Read more »

Editorial staff. (2010) Home birth--proceed with caution. Lancet, 376(9738), 303. PMID: 20674705  

  • February 26, 2010
  • 04:34 PM
  • 357 views

Premenstrual syndrome: understanding origin and variation

by Kate Clancy in Laboratory for Evolutionary Endocrinology

This post explains variation in behavior through the menstrual cycle, hormonal variation, and problematizes the assumption that progesterone withdrawal explains premenstrual syndrome.... Read more »

Brinton RD, Thompson RF, Foy MR, Baudry M, Wang J, Finch CE, Morgan TE, Pike CJ, Mack WJ, Stanczyk FZ.... (2008) Progesterone receptors: form and function in brain. Frontiers in neuroendocrinology, 29(2), 313-39. PMID: 18374402  

Chapman, J., McIntyre, M., Lipson, S., & Ellison, P. (2009) Weight change and ovarian steroid profiles in young women. Fertility and Sterility, 91(3), 858-861. DOI: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2007.12.081  

Ellison PT, Panter-Brick C, Lipson SF, & O'Rourke MT. (1993) The ecological context of human ovarian function. Human reproduction (Oxford, England), 8(12), 2248-58. PMID: 8150934  

Jasieńska G, & Ellison PT. (1998) Physical work causes suppression of ovarian function in women. Proceedings. Biological sciences / The Royal Society, 265(1408), 1847-51. PMID: 9802241  

Panter-Brick C, & Ellison PT. (1994) Seasonality of workloads and ovarian function in Nepali women. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, 234-5. PMID: 8154716  

Marván ML, Díaz-Erosa M, & Montesinos A. (1998) Premenstrual symptoms in Mexican women with different educational levels. The Journal of psychology, 132(5), 517-26. PMID: 9729845  

O'hara, M., & Swain, A. (1996) Rates and risk of postpartum depression—a meta-analysis. International Review of Psychiatry, 8(1), 37-54. DOI: 10.3109/09540269609037816  

  • July 23, 2009
  • 12:02 PM
  • 524 views

What does this anthropologist think about hormonal birth control? Part V

by Kate Clancy in Laboratory for Evolutionary Endocrinology

Last part in five part series on hormonal contraception, population variation, cultural conditioning, and behavior.... Read more »

Huang C, & Sedlack DL. (2001) Analysis of estrogenic hormones in municipal wastewater effluent and surface water using ELISA and GC/MS/MS. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, 20(1), 133-139.

  • July 20, 2009
  • 03:51 PM
  • 628 views

What does this anthropologist think about hormonal birth control? Part IV

by Kate Clancy in Laboratory for Evolutionary Endocrinology

This is part IV of V of my series on hormonal contraception. Please also see parts I, II, and III.Behavior and cognitionIn western culture, media, commercials, and magazines, the menstrual cycle is almost universally considered to be negative. Pharmaceutical companies advertise pills to improve mood, from SaraFem (this was another name for Prozac, targeted just to women), to Midol, to the new hormonal contraceptive Yaz (which has recently gotten in trouble for the way they promoted their mood im........ Read more »

Bancroft J, & Sartorius N. (1990) The effects of oral contraceptives on well-being and sexuality. Oxford Reviews of Reproductive Biology, 57-92. DOI: 2075004  

Shively, C, & Bethea C. (2004) Cognition, mood disorders, and sex hormones. ILAR J, 45(2), 189-199. DOI: 15111738  

Walker, A. (1994) Mood and well-being in consecutive menstrual cycles. Psychology of Women Quarterly, 18(2), 271-290.

  • July 20, 2009
  • 02:52 PM
  • 568 views

What does this anthropologist think about hormonal contraception? Part IV

by Kate Clancy in Laboratory for Evolutionary Endocrinology

Fourth of a five-part series on hormonal contraception, from an anthropological standpoint. This part of the series is on behavior and cognitive changes associated with hormones.... Read more »

Bancroft J, & Sartorius N. (1990) The effects of oral contraceptives on well-being and sexuality. Oxford Reviews of Reproductive Biology, 57-92. DOI: 2075004  

Shively, C, & Bethea C. (2004) Cognition, mood disorders, and sex hormones. ILAR J, 45(2), 189-199. DOI: 15111738  

Walker, A. (1994) Mood and well-being in consecutive menstrual cycles. Psychology of Women Quarterly, 18(2), 271-290.

  • July 17, 2009
  • 08:15 AM
  • 577 views

What does this anthropologist think about hormonal birth control? Part III

by Kate Clancy in Laboratory for Evolutionary Endocrinology

In parts I and II of this series, I discussed the basic no-nos around contraception, the reason some advocate its continuous use, and what constitutes a normal menstrual cycle. Today, I'll explain a bit about population variation in reproductive function, and how it may relate to the conversation.Population variationBoth the efficacy of hormonal contraception and its non-contraceptive benefits are reduced if women do not take their prescriptions properly, and there are many reasons women do this........ Read more »

Baerwald A, Olatunbosun O, & Pierson R. (2006) Effects of oral contraceptives administered at defined stages of ovarian follicular development. Fertility and Sterility, 86(1), 27-35.

Ellison PT. (1990) Human ovarian function and reproductive ecology: new hypotheses. American Anthropologist, 94(2), 933-952.

Vitzthum VJ, Spielvogel H, Caceres E, & Miller A. (2001) Vaginal bleeding patterns among rural highland Bolivian women: relationship to fecundity and fetal loss. Contraception, 319-325.

Vitzthum VJ, Spielvogel H, & Thornburg J. (2004) Interpopulational differences in progesterone levels during conception and implantation in humans. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 101(6), 1443-1448.

  • July 17, 2009
  • 07:17 AM
  • 533 views

What does this anthropologist think about hormonal contraception? Part III

by Kate Clancy in Laboratory for Evolutionary Endocrinology

Part three of my ongoing series on hormonal contraception and reproductive function, from the perspective of anthropology.... Read more »

Baerwald A, Olatunbosun O, & Pierson R. (2006) Effects of oral contraceptives administered at defined stages of ovarian follicular development. Fertility and Sterility, 86(1), 27-35.

Ellison PT. (1990) Human ovarian function and reproductive ecology: new hypotheses. American Anthropologist, 94(2), 933-952.

Vitzthum VJ, Spielvogel H, Caceres E, & Miller A. (2001) Vaginal bleeding patterns among rural highland Bolivian women: relationship to fecundity and fetal loss. Contraception, 319-325.

Vitzthum VJ, Spielvogel H, & Thornburg J. (2004) Interpopulational differences in progesterone levels during conception and implantation in humans. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 101(6), 1443-1448.

  • July 16, 2009
  • 02:46 PM
  • 548 views

What does this anthropologist think about hormonal birth control? Part II

by Kate Clancy in Laboratory for Evolutionary Endocrinology

So I've covered a bit of my bias against hormonal contraception ads, and the basic no-nos. But one of the things you may have heard a lot lately is that women don't "need" a period, or even that it is "useless." I'd like to spend a little time unpacking this in the second part of my series.What is normal?Recently, in the beginning of an evolutionary medicine volume, I read in the editors’ opening comments that there is “nothing biologically normal” about monthly menses, as a way to put for........ Read more »

Eaton SB, Pike MC, Short RV, Lee NC, Trussell J, Hatcher RA, Wood JW, Worthman CM, Blurton-Jones NG, Konner MJ.... (1994) Women's reproductive cancers in evolutionary context. Quarterley Review of Biology, 69(3), 353-367.

Eaton, S.B., Strassmann, B.I., Nesse, R.M., Neel, J.V., Ewald, P.W., Williams, G.C., Weder, A.B., Eaton III, S.B., Lindeberg, S., Konner, M.J.... (2002) Evolutionary health promotion. Preventive Medicine, 109-118.

  • July 16, 2009
  • 01:47 PM
  • 555 views

What does this anthropologist think about hormonal contraception? Part II

by Kate Clancy in Laboratory for Evolutionary Endocrinology

The second part in the series on biological anthropology, ecology, variation, and hormonal contraception.... Read more »

Eaton SB, Pike MC, Short RV, Lee NC, Trussell J, Hatcher RA, Wood JW, Worthman CM, Blurton-Jones NG, Konner MJ.... (1994) Women's reproductive cancers in evolutionary context. Quarterley Review of Biology, 69(3), 353-367.

Eaton, S.B., Strassmann, B.I., Nesse, R.M., Neel, J.V., Ewald, P.W., Williams, G.C., Weder, A.B., Eaton III, S.B., Lindeberg, S., Konner, M.J.... (2002) Evolutionary health promotion. Preventive Medicine, 109-118.

  • July 15, 2009
  • 01:24 PM
  • 565 views

What does this anthropologist think about hormonal contraception? Part I

by Kate Clancy in Laboratory for Evolutionary Endocrinology

The first of a multi-part series on the benefits and concerns around hormonal contraception.... Read more »

Brunner Huber LR, & Hogue CJ. (2005) The association between body weight, unintended pregnancy resulting in a livebirth, and contraception at the time of conception. Maternal and Child Health Journal, 9(4), 413-420.

Burkman RT, Fisher AC, Wan GJ, Barnowski CE, & LaGuardia KD. (2009) Association between efficacy and body weight or body mass index for two low-dose oral contraceptives. Contraception, 79(6), 424-427.

join us!

Do you write about peer-reviewed research in your blog? Use ResearchBlogging.org to make it easy for your readers — and others from around the world — to find your serious posts about academic research.

If you don't have a blog, you can still use our site to learn about fascinating developments in cutting-edge research from around the world.

Register Now

Research Blogging is powered by SMG Technology.

To learn more, visit seedmediagroup.com.