Education

• Ph.D. in Reproductive Physiology, University of Nebraska, 2018
• M.S. in Reproductive Physiology, University of Nebraska, 2013
• B.S. in Animal Science, University of Missouri-Columbia, 2010

PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES AND ACTIVITIES 

• Judge for Poster Competition at NPOD Spring Retreat (2022)
• Judge for Greenwald Symposium Trainee Flask Talks (Fall 2020 and Fall 2021)
• Abstract reviewer for annual meeting of the IETS (2019 – Present)
• SSR Outreach Committee (2020 – 2021)
• Ad Hoc Reviewer, Cell and Tissue Research (2020 – Present)
• Ad Hoc Reviewer, Scientific Reports (2020 – Present)
• Ad Hoc Reviewer, Animal Reproduction Science (2015 – Present)
• Reproductive Biology at UNL Lectures/Demos (2011 – 2018)
• Midwest Boar Stud Mangers Conference Volunteer (2016)
• UNL Animal Science Academic Quadrathalon Physiology Practicum Coordinator (2016)
• Enviropig Online Learning Resource interviewee and reviewer (2016)
• NCERA-57 Regional Swine Reproduction Research Meeting Symposium Volunteer (2014)
• Nutrition, Obesity and Fertility Session Co-Chair, IETS (2012)
• Nebraska Women in Science Conference Volunteer (2011)

PUBLICATIONS 

View complete list of published work

White, B.R., R.A. Cederberg, D.H. Elsken, C.E. Ross, C.A. Lents and A.T. Desaulniers. 2022. Role of gonadotropin-releasing hormone II and its receptor in swine reproduction. Mol Reprod Dev 1–11.

Desaulniers, A.T., R.A. Cederberg, E.P. Carreiro, C.B. Gurumurthy and B.R. White. 2020. A transgenic pig model expressing a CMV-ZsGreen1 reporter across an extensive array of tissues. J Biomed Res, 35(2): 163–173.

S. Manca, B. Upadhyaya, E. Mutai, A.T. Desaulniers, R.A. Cederberg, B.R. White and J. Zempleni. 2018. Milk exosomes are bioavailable and distinct microRNA cargos have unique distribution patterns. Sci Rep. 8(1): 11321.

Desaulniers, A.T., R.A. Cederberg, C.A. Lents and B.R. White. 2017. Expression and role of gonadotropin-releasing hormone 2 and its receptor in mammals. Front Endocrinol. 8:269. Invited review.

Lents, C.A., J.F. Thorson, A.T. Desaulniers and B.R. White. 2017. RFamide-Related Peptide 3 and Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone-II are Autocrine-Paracrine Regulators of Testis Function in the Boar. Mol Reprod Develop. 84:994 – 1003.

Desaulniers, A.T., R.A. Cederberg and B.R. White. 2017. Production of a gonadotropin-releasing hormone II receptor knockdown swine line. Transgenic Res. 26(4):567 – 575.

Desaulniers, A.T., W.R. Lamberson and T.J. Safranski. 2016. Prenatal heat stress reduces male anogenital distance at birth and adult testis size, which are rescued by concurrent maternal Artemisia absinthium consumption. J Therm Biol. 57:84 – 91.

Brauer, V.M., J.R. Wiarda Bell, A.T. Desaulniers, R.A. Cederberg and B.R. White. 2016. Functional activity of the porcine Gnrhr2 gene promoter in testis-derived cells is partially conferred by nuclear factor-κB, specificity protein 1 and 3 (SP1/3) and overlapping early growth response 1/SP1/3 binding sites. Gene. 587: 137 – 146.

Desaulniers, A.T., R.A. Cederberg, G.A. Mills, J.J. Ford, C.A. Lents and B.R. White. 2015. LH-independent testosterone secretion is mediated by the interaction between GNRH2 and its receptor within porcine testes. Biol Reprod. 93:45.

Thorson, J.F., A. T. Desaulniers, C. Lee, B. R. White, J. J. Ford and C. A. Lents. 2015. The role of RFamide-related peptide 3 (RFRP3) in regulation of the neuroendocrine reproductive and growth axes of the boar. Anim Reprod Sci. 159:60 – 65.

PRESENTATIONS

Oral Presentation:

*Denotes current or former trainees

Desaulniers, A.T. Developmental programming of testis dysfunction by in utero heat stress. Veteran Affairs Nebraska-Western Iowa Health Care System Seminar Series. Online. September 30, 2022.

Desaulniers, A.T. Impacts of dietary milk exosome consumption on the testicular transcriptome. Nebraska Center for the Prevention of Obesity Diseases through Dietary Molecules (NPOD) External Advisory Committee Site Visit. Lincoln, NE. September 8, 2022.

McFee, R.M. and A.T. Desaulniers. 2022. Lecture notes, online quizzes, in-class review sessions, and in-class assignments were perceived as more beneficial for student learning compared with lecture recordings for a flipped version of an animal physiology course. Veterinary Educator Collaborative Meeting.

Ross, C.E., G.A. Mills, A.T. Desaulniers, C.A. Lents, and B.R. White. 2022. GnRH-II and its receptor influence sperm morphology and kinematics. Society for the Study of Reproduction Annual Meeting. 

Clifton*, L.K., A.M. Petty*, M.L. Burns* and A.T. Desaulniers. 2022. Early weaning impairs reproductive development and fertility of the male. ASAS Midwestern Section Annual Meeting. 

Desaulniers, A.T., H.R. Wijesena, R.A. Cederberg, A.K. Lindholm-Perry, B.N. Keel, C.E. Ross, D.H. Elsken, C.A. Lents and B.R. White. 2021. The testicular transcriptome of GnRHR-II knockdown boars. Society for the Study of Reproduction Annual Meeting. Virtual.

Burns*, M.L., A.M. Petty*, L.K. Clifton*, K.W. Lovercamp and A.T. Desaulniers. 2021. Corn-cob bedding impairs the development and long-term function of murine testes. Gilbert S. Greenwald Symposium on Reproduction and Regenerative Medicine. Virtual Flash Talk. 

Burns*, M.L., A.M. Petty*, L.K. Clifton*, K.W. Lovercamp and A.T. Desaulniers. 2021. Exposure to corn-cob bedding during pubertal development impairs testosterone secretion and seminal vesicle development in male mice. 25th Annual MKN McNair Heartland Research Conference. Kansas City, MO.

Burns*, M.L., A.M. Petty*, L.K. Clifton*, K.W. Lovercamp and A.T. Desaulniers. 2021. Effects of corn-cob bedding on murine testis development and function. UCM McNair Symposium. Warrensburg, MO.

Petty*, A.M., K.W. Lovercamp and A.T. Desaulniers. 2020. Elucidating steroidogenesis in the neonatal boar. Gilbert S. Greenwald Symposium on Reproduction and Regenerative Medicine. Virtual Flash Talk.

Petty*, A.M., and A.T. Desaulniers. 2020. Bioavailability of seminal plasma-derived exosomes in the female reproductive tract. 24th Annual MKN Heartland McNair Conference. Virtual Oral Presentation.

Petty*, A.M., and A.T. Desaulniers. 2020. Isolation of ZsGreen1-Labeled Exosomes from Seminal Plasma of Transgenic Boars. UCM Undergraduate Research Fair. Warrensburg, MO.*Abstract accepted but presentation canceled due to COVID-19

Ebrecht*, M.A., B.R. White, K.W. Lovercamp and A.T. Desaulniers. 2020. Effects of Exogenous GnRH-II Treatment on Motility of Porcine Spermatozoa. UCM Undergraduate Research Fair. Warrensburg, MO. Oral Presentation. *Abstract accepted but presentation canceled due to COVID-19

Ebrecht*, M.A., A.T. Desaulniers and K.W. Lovercamp. 2019. Effect of gonadotropin-releasing hormone-II (GnRH-II) on boar sperm quality when stored in a long-term semen extender. 23rd Annual MKN Heartland McNair Research Conference. Kansas City, MO. Oral Presentation.

Ebrecht*, M.A., A.T. Desaulniers and K.W. Lovercamp. 2019. Effect of gonadotropin-releasing hormone-II (GnRH-II) on boar sperm quality when stored in a long-term semen extender. UCM McNair Scholars Research Symposium. Warrensburg, MO. Oral Presentation.

Desaulniers, A.T., R.A. Cederberg, G.A. Mills and B.R. White. Use of genetically engineered pigs to elucidate the reproductive physiology of the boar. 2019. Missouri Physiological Society. Columbia, MO.

Desaulniers, A.T., R.A. Cederberg, G.A. Mills and B.R. White. A transgenic swine model to elucidate ovarian steroidogenesis in gilts. 2018. Large Animal Genetic Engineering Summit. Park City, UT.

Desaulniers, A.T., R.A. Cederberg, G.A. Mills and B.R. White. 2018. Aberrant corpus luteum development and function in GnRH-II receptor knockdown gilts. Society for the Study of Reproduction Annual Meeting. New Orleans, LA. Flash talk.

Desaulniers, A.T., R.A. Cederberg, G.A. Mills and B.R. White. Knockdown of GnRH-II receptor alters corpus luteum development and function in gilts. 2018. Rocky Mountain Reproductive Sciences Symposium. Fort Collins, CO. 

Desaulniers, A.T., R.A. Cederberg, C.A. Lents and B.R. White. 2017. Knockdown of the GnRH-II receptor in the porcine testis impairs the biosynthesis of 10 gonadal steroids. Society for the Study of Reproduction Annual Meeting. Washington, D.C.

Desaulniers, A.T., E.P. Carreiro, R.A. Cederberg, C.A. Lents and B.R. White. 2017. Testis composition and steroidogenic protein abundance in GnRH-II receptor knockdown boars. ASAS-SSR Triannual Reproduction Symposium and Society for the Study of Reproduction Annual Meeting. Washington, D.C. Flash talk.

Desaulniers, A.T., R.A. Cederberg, R.V. Knox, C.A. Lents and B.R. White. 2017. GnRHR-II knockdown swine have constitutively lower serum testosterone concentrations, impaired sensitivity to GnRH analogues and reduced semen quality. International Conference on Pig Reproduction. Columbia, MO.

Desaulniers, A.T., R.A. Cederberg, C.A. Lents and B.R. White. 2017. Testicular GnRH-II receptor knockdown impairs diurnal testosterone secretion in the boar. International Embryo Technology Society (IETS) Annual Meeting. Austin, TX.

Desaulniers, A.T., R.A. Cederberg, C.A. Lents and B.R. White. 2016. Use of genetically engineered swine to elucidate testis function in the boar. Large Animal Genetic Engineering Summit. Bethesda, MD.

Desaulniers, A.T., R.A. Cederberg, G.A. Mills, C.A. Lents and B.R. White. 2016. Effect of gonadotropin-releasing hormone II receptor (GnRHR-II) knockdown on testosterone secretion in the boar. Society for the Study of Reproduction Meeting. San Diego, CA.

Desaulniers, A.T., R.A. Cederberg, G.A. Mills, C.A. Lents and B.R. White. 2016. Gonadotropin-releasing hormone II receptor (GnRHR-II) knockdown reduces testis size and decreases testosterone secretion during pubertal development in swine. ASAS/ADSA Midwestern Section Annual Meeting. Des Moines, IA.

Desaulniers, A.T., R.M. McFee and B.R. White. 2016. Evaluation of case-based reasoning to promote learning and swine industry interest in an undergraduate reproductive physiology course. ASAS/ADSA Midwestern Section Annual Meeting. Des Moines, IA.

Desaulniers, A.T., R.A. Cederberg, G.A. Mills, C.A. Lents and B.R. White. 2014. LH-independent testosterone secretion is mediated by the interaction between GnRH2 and its receptor within the testis. Society for the Study of Reproduction Annual Meeting. Grand Rapids, MI.

Desaulniers, A. T., A. M. Voss, R.A. Cederberg, C. Lee, G. A. Mills, M. D. Snyder, and B.R. White. 2012. Production of GnRH-II receptor knockdown swine. International Embryo Transfer Society (IETS) Annual Meeting. Phoenix, AZ. 

Desaulniers, A. T., and T. J. Safranski. 2010. Retrospective analysis of factors affecting sperm production/quality measures in a boar stud. ASAS/ADSA Midwestern Section Annual Meeting. Des Moines, IA.

GRANTS

• 2023 – 2026 USDA-NIFA-AFRI
  Role: Project Director (Co-PDs: Lents, White, Brito, Johnson)
  Enhancing boar fertility in the face of climate change through the mitigation of in utero heat stress 
   
• 2022 – 2026 ARD/USDA Hatch Multistate Enhanced Program
  Role: Principal investigator
  Biological mechanisms mediating testicular steroidogenesis after in utero heat stress
   
• 2022 – 2024 University of Nebraska Collaboration Initiative
  Role: Principal investigator (Co-Is: Bartelt-Hunt, Rogan, Sillman, Zahid)
  Effects of prenatal herbicide exposure on health and fertility outcomes in a swine model
   
• 2022 – 2024 Great Plains IDeA-CTR - Early Career Investigator Program
  Role: Principal investigator
  Biological mechanisms that connect nursing with enhanced testicular function
   
• 2022 Nebraska Center for the Prevention of Obesity Diseases through Dietary Molecules
  Role: Principal investigator
  Impacts of dietary milk exosome consumption on the testicular transcriptome
   

• 2022 UNL Research Council Interdisciplinary Grant
  Role: Principal investigator (D.T. Yates, Co-PI)
  Effects of milk exosome consumption on testicular development in a neonatal swine model

   

RESEARCH

2022 NU 2 NIH Faculty Development Program, UNL ORED 

2022 UNL Faculty Slammer

2021 Research Development Faculty Fellowship Program, UNL ORED 

2018 Midwest American Society of Animal Science (ASAS) Young Scholar Award

2017 Gamma Sigma Delta Outstanding Graduate Student Award

2016 Widaman Distinguished Graduate Fellowship

2014 & 2017 USDA-NIFA-AFRI Research Merit Award

2017 ASAS-SSR Triannual Reproduction Symposium Flash Talk Competition Finalist

2012 & 2017 IETS Society Graduate Student Oral Competition Finalist

2011 & 2015 Gilbert S. Greenwald Symposium on Reproduction Pre-Doctoral Poster Award  

2015 NPOD/NGN Graduate Student & Postdoctoral Fellow Poster Competition Award

2011 & 2015 Gilbert S. Greenwald Symposium on Reproduction Pre-Doctoral Poster Award

2015 NPOD/NGN Graduate Student & Postdoctoral Fellow Poster Competition Award

2011 – 2012 Milton E. Mohr Biotechnology Fellowship

TEACHING

2016 – 2017 Milton E. Mohr Teaching Fellowship

2016 National Pork Board Swine Innovation Award

2014 John Hallman Memorial Teaching Award

TRAVEL AWARDS

2021 IANR Travel Grant

2018 UCM Scholarly Activity Fund

2016 & 2018 Large Animal Genetic Engineering Summit Trainee Travel Award

2017 Gilbert S. Greenwald on Reproduction Trainee Travel Award

2017 Graduate Travel Awards Program (GTAP) awardee

2012 & 2016 David H. & Anne E. Larrick Memorial Student Travel Award

2016 Cayman Chemical Travel Grant

2014 William G. Whitmore Memorial Student Travel Fund

PROFESSIONAL SOCIETY MEMBERSHIPS

• Society for the Study of Reproduction
• American Physiological Society
• American Society of Animal Science
• Association for Women in Sciences