Kellie Church

Title(s)Associate Adjunct Professor, Ob/Gyn & Reproductive sciences
SchoolVc-health Sciences-schools
Address9500 Gilman Drive #
La Jolla CA 92093
ORCID ORCID Icon0002-7522-299X Additional info
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    Collapse Biography 
    Collapse education and training
    UC Davis, Davis, CABS06/1997Animal Science
    UC Davis, Davis, CAMS06/1999Animal Science
    University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MIPhD06/2004Molecular & Integrative Physiology
    UC San Diego, La Jolla, CAPostdoc03/2011Reproductive Medicine

    Collapse Overview 
    Collapse overview
    The overarching goal of the Breen Church Laboratory is to understand the development, organization and activation of neural circuits that control reproductive neuroendocrine hormone activity in males and females in both normal physiologic conditions and in conditions of disrupted homeostasis, also known as stress.

    Collapse Research 
    Collapse research activities and funding
    Stressed or Stressed Out: The Conference on Mechanisms of Allostasis
    NIH R13MH131327Sep 1, 2022 - Aug 31, 2023
    Role: PI
    Regulation of gonadotropin secretion during undernutrition by a brainstem-hypothalamic neural pathway
    NIH R01HD103725Sep 30, 2021 - Aug 31, 2025
    Role: PI
    Neural Mechanisms for Stress-Induced Diabetes Development
    NIH P30DK0634915Jul 1, 2021 - Jun 30, 2024
    Role: Pilot Project PI
    Transcriptomic and epigenomic basis for reproductive dysfunction during stress
    NIH R21HD105103May 1, 2021 - Apr 30, 2023
    Role: PI
    Neuroendocrine Regulation of Reproduction by Glucocorticoids
    NIH R01HD086100Aug 10, 2016 - Mar 31, 2021
    Role: PI
    The Role of Gonadotrope in Stress-Induced Reproductive Impairment
    NIH R00HD060947Apr 26, 2010 - Jan 31, 2017
    Role: PI
    The Role of Gonadotrope in Stress-Induced Reproductive Impairment
    NIH K99HD060947Apr 26, 2010 - Jan 31, 2013
    Role: PI
    Reproductive Suppression by Cortisol at Pituitary Gland
    NIH F32HD051360Aug 1, 2005 - Sep 30, 2008
    Role: PI

    Collapse Bibliographic 
    Collapse selected publications
    Publications listed below are automatically derived from MEDLINE/PubMed and other sources, which might result in incorrect or missing publications. Researchers can login to make corrections and additions, or contact us for help. to make corrections and additions.
    Newest   |   Oldest   |   Most Cited   |   Most Discussed   |   Timeline   |   Field Summary   |   Plain Text
    Altmetrics Details PMC Citations indicate the number of times the publication was cited by articles in PubMed Central, and the Altmetric score represents citations in news articles and social media. (Note that publications are often cited in additional ways that are not shown here.) Fields are based on how the National Library of Medicine (NLM) classifies the publication's journal and might not represent the specific topic of the publication. Translation tags are based on the publication type and the MeSH terms NLM assigns to the publication. Some publications (especially newer ones and publications not in PubMed) might not yet be assigned Field or Translation tags.) Click a Field or Translation tag to filter the publications.
    1. Suppression of Luteinizing Hormone Secretion in Female Mice by a Urocortin 2-CRHR2 Signaling Pathway. Endocrinology. 2025 Mar 24; 166(5). McCosh RB, Bell HF, Kreisman MJ, Tian K, Breen KM. PMID: 40037626; PMCID: PMC11932080.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions:    Fields:    Translation:AnimalsCells
    2. Prostaglandin synthesis mediates the suppression of arcuate Kiss1 neuron activation and pulsatile luteinizing hormone secretion during immune/inflammatory stress in female mice. J Neuroendocrinol. 2025 May; 37(5):e70004. Carrasco RA, Jang J, Jung J, McCosh RB, Kreisman MJ, Breen KM. PMID: 40058772; PMCID: PMC12045731.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions:    Fields:    Translation:AnimalsCells
    3. Brainstem Noradrenergic Neuronal Populations: Dual Effects on Regulating GnRH and LH Secretion. Endocrinology. 2025 Feb 05; 166(3). Carrasco RA, Breen KM. PMID: 39891672; PMCID: PMC11815497.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions:    Fields:    Translation:HumansAnimalsCells
    4. Norepinephrine Neurons in the Nucleus of the Solitary Tract Suppress Luteinizing Hormone Secretion in Female Mice. J Neurosci. 2024 08 21; 44(34). McCosh RB, Kreisman MJ, Tian K, Thomas SA, Breen KM. PMID: 39038954; PMCID: PMC11340281.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 2     Fields:    Translation:AnimalsCells
    5. Allostasis in Neuroendocrine Systems Controlling Reproduction. Endocrinology. 2023 08 28; 164(10). Carrasco RA, Breen KM. PMID: 37586095; PMCID: PMC10461221.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 3     Fields:    Translation:Animals
    6. Extracellular Matrix Influences Gene Expression and Differentiation of Mouse Trophoblast Stem Cells. Stem Cells Dev. 2023 10; 32(19-20):622-637. Natale BV, Kotadia R, Gustin K, Harihara A, Min S, Kreisman MJ, Breen KM, Natale DRC. PMID: 37463089; PMCID: PMC10561768.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 4     Fields:    Translation:AnimalsCells
    7. A Modified Ultra-Sensitive ELISA for Measurement of LH in Mice. Endocrinology. 2022 09 01; 163(9). Kreisman MJ, McCosh RB, Breen KM. PMID: 35869782; PMCID: PMC9337274.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 13     Fields:    Translation:Animals
    8. Regulation of the gonadotropin-releasing hormone neuron during stress. J Neuroendocrinol. 2022 05; 34(5):e13098. McCosh RB, O'Bryne KT, Karsch FJ, Breen KM. PMID: 35128742; PMCID: PMC9232848.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 11     Fields:    Translation:HumansCells
    9. Neuroendocrine Basis for Disrupted Ovarian Cyclicity in Female Mice During Chronic Undernutrition. Endocrinology. 2021 08 01; 162(8). Kreisman MJ, Tadrousse KS, McCosh RB, Breen KM. PMID: 34037744; PMCID: PMC8272537.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 9     Fields:    Translation:Animals
    10. Peripheral interleukin-1β inhibits arcuate kiss1 cells and LH pulses in female mice. J Endocrinol. 2020 08; 246(2):149-160. Makowski KN, Kreisman MJ, McCosh RB, Raad AA, Breen KM. PMID: 32464599; PMCID: PMC7371262.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 11     Fields:    Translation:Animals
    11. Insulin-induced hypoglycaemia suppresses pulsatile luteinising hormone secretion and arcuate Kiss1 cell activation in female mice. J Neuroendocrinol. 2019 12; 31(12):e12813. McCosh RB, Kreisman MJ, Tian K, Ho BS, Thackray VG, Breen KM. PMID: 31758872; PMCID: PMC6933080.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 13     Fields:    Translation:AnimalsCells
    12. Neural and endocrine mechanisms underlying stress-induced suppression of pulsatile LH secretion. Mol Cell Endocrinol. 2019 12 01; 498:110579. McCosh RB, Breen KM, Kauffman AS. PMID: 31521706; PMCID: PMC6874223.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 25     Fields:    Translation:HumansAnimals
    13. Estradiol Enables Chronic Corticosterone to Inhibit Pulsatile Luteinizing Hormone Secretion and Suppress Kiss1 Neuronal Activation in Female Mice. Neuroendocrinology. 2020; 110(6):501-516. Kreisman MJ, McCosh RB, Tian K, Song CI, Breen KM. PMID: 31461711; PMCID: PMC7048652.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 23     Fields:    Translation:Animals
    14. Frequent Tail-tip Blood Sampling in Mice for the Assessment of Pulsatile Luteinizing Hormone Secretion. J Vis Exp. 2018 07 04; (137). McCosh RB, Kreisman MJ, Breen KM. PMID: 30035764; PMCID: PMC6102042.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 19     Fields:    Translation:Animals
    15. Acute Psychosocial Stress Inhibits LH Pulsatility and Kiss1 Neuronal Activation in Female Mice. Endocrinology. 2017 11 01; 158(11):3716-3723. Yang JA, Song CI, Hughes JK, Kreisman MJ, Parra RA, Haisenleder DJ, Kauffman AS, Breen KM. PMID: 28973125; PMCID: PMC5695836.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 48     Fields:    Translation:AnimalsCells
    16. Androgens Mediate Sex-Dependent Gonadotropin Expression During Late Prenatal Development in the Mouse. Endocrinology. 2017 09 01; 158(9):2884-2894. Kreisman MJ, Song CI, Yip K, Natale BV, Natale DR, Breen KM. PMID: 28911172; PMCID: PMC5659668.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 9     Fields:    Translation:AnimalsCells
    17. Corticosterone Blocks Ovarian Cyclicity and the LH Surge via Decreased Kisspeptin Neuron Activation in Female Mice. Endocrinology. 2016 Mar; 157(3):1187-99. Luo E, Stephens SB, Chaing S, Munaganuru N, Kauffman AS, Breen KM. PMID: 26697722; PMCID: PMC4769373.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 36     Fields:    Translation:AnimalsCells
    18. A Novel Letrozole Model Recapitulates Both the Reproductive and Metabolic Phenotypes of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome in Female Mice. Biol Reprod. 2015 Sep; 93(3):69. Kauffman AS, Thackray VG, Ryan GE, Tolson KP, Glidewell-Kenney CA, Semaan SJ, Poling MC, Iwata N, Breen KM, Duleba AJ, Stener-Victorin E, Shimasaki S, Webster NJ, Mellon PL. PMID: 26203175; PMCID: PMC4710190.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 96     Fields:    Translation:Animals
    19. Roles of binding elements, FOXL2 domains, and interactions with cJUN and SMADs in regulation of FSHβ. Mol Endocrinol. 2014 Oct; 28(10):1640-55. Roybal LL, Hambarchyan A, Meadows JD, Barakat NH, Pepa PA, Breen KM, Mellon PL, Coss D. PMID: 25105693; PMCID: PMC4179627.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 13     Fields:    Translation:AnimalsCells
    20. Influence of stress-induced intermediates on gonadotropin gene expression in gonadotrope cells. Mol Cell Endocrinol. 2014 Mar 25; 385(1-2):71-7. Breen KM, Mellon PL. PMID: 24012628; PMCID: PMC3942370.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 17     Fields:    Translation:HumansAnimalsCells
    21. Phosphorylation of ATF2 and interaction with NFY induces c-Jun in the gonadotrope. Mol Cell Endocrinol. 2013 Jan 30; 365(2):316-26. Lindaman LL, Yeh DM, Xie C, Breen KM, Coss D. PMID: 23178797; PMCID: PMC3529762.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 13     Fields:    Translation:AnimalsCells
    22. Stress levels of glucocorticoids inhibit LHβ-subunit gene expression in gonadotrope cells. Mol Endocrinol. 2012 Oct; 26(10):1716-31. Breen KM, Thackray VG, Hsu T, Mak-McCully RA, Coss D, Mellon PL. PMID: 22851703; PMCID: PMC3458227.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 22     Fields:    Translation:AnimalsCells
    23. Runt-related transcription factors impair activin induction of the follicle-stimulating hormone {beta}-subunit gene. Endocrinology. 2010 Jun; 151(6):2669-80. Breen KM, Thackray VG, Coss D, Mellon PL. PMID: 20357224; PMCID: PMC2875819.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 9     Fields:    
    24. The estrous cycle of the ewe is resistant to disruption by repeated, acute psychosocial stress. Biol Reprod. 2010 Jun; 82(6):1206-15. Wagenmaker ER, Breen KM, Oakley AE, Tilbrook AJ, Karsch FJ. PMID: 20164438; PMCID: PMC2874503.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 7     Fields:    
    25. Glucocorticoids: do they really contribute to stress-related reproductive inhibition? Expert Rev Endocrinol Metab. 2009 Jul; 4(4):295-298. Karsch FJ, Breen KM. PMID: 30781279.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 1     Fields:    
    26. Role of estradiol in cortisol-induced reduction of luteinizing hormone pulse frequency. Endocrinology. 2009 Jun; 150(6):2775-82. Oakley AE, Breen KM, Tilbrook AJ, Wagenmaker ER, Karsch FJ. PMID: 19179435; PMCID: PMC2689807.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 7     Fields:    Translation:Animals
    27. Cortisol interferes with the estradiol-induced surge of luteinizing hormone in the ewe. Biol Reprod. 2009 Mar; 80(3):458-63. Wagenmaker ER, Breen KM, Oakley AE, Pierce BN, Tilbrook AJ, Turner AI, Karsch FJ. PMID: 19056703; PMCID: PMC2805396.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 8     Fields:    Translation:Animals
    28. Psychosocial stress inhibits amplitude of gonadotropin-releasing hormone pulses independent of cortisol action on the type II glucocorticoid receptor. Endocrinology. 2009 Feb; 150(2):762-9. Wagenmaker ER, Breen KM, Oakley AE, Tilbrook AJ, Karsch FJ. PMID: 18832098; PMCID: PMC2646534.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 23     Fields:    Translation:AnimalsCells
    29. Cortisol reduces gonadotropin-releasing hormone pulse frequency in follicular phase ewes: influence of ovarian steroids. Endocrinology. 2009 Jan; 150(1):341-9. Oakley AE, Breen KM, Clarke IJ, Karsch FJ, Wagenmaker ER, Tilbrook AJ. PMID: 18801903; PMCID: PMC2630911.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 39     Fields:    Translation:Animals
    30. Estradiol enables cortisol to act directly upon the pituitary to suppress pituitary responsiveness to GnRH in sheep. Neuroendocrinology. 2009; 89(1):86-97. Pierce BN, Stackpole CA, Breen KM, Clarke IJ, Karsch FJ, Rivalland ET, Turner AI, Caddy DJ, Wagenmaker ER, Oakley AE, Tilbrook AJ. PMID: 18714145.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 9     Fields:    Translation:Animals
    31. Insight into the neuroendocrine site and cellular mechanism by which cortisol suppresses pituitary responsiveness to gonadotropin-releasing hormone. Endocrinology. 2008 Feb; 149(2):767-73. Breen KM, Davis TL, Doro LC, Nett TM, Oakley AE, Padmanabhan V, Rispoli LA, Wagenmaker ER, Karsch FJ. PMID: 17962347; PMCID: PMC2219297.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 16     Fields:    Translation:AnimalsCells
    32. Does cortisol acting via the type II glucocorticoid receptor mediate suppression of pulsatile luteinizing hormone secretion in response to psychosocial stress? Endocrinology. 2007 Apr; 148(4):1882-90. Breen KM, Oakley AE, Pytiak AV, Tilbrook AJ, Wagenmaker ER, Karsch FJ. PMID: 17204556.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 20     Fields:    Translation:Animals
    33. Sex difference in the suppressive effect of cortisol on pulsatile secretion of luteinizing hormone in sheep. Endocrinology. 2006 Dec; 147(12):5921-31. Stackpole CA, Clarke IJ, Breen KM, Turner AI, Karsch FJ, Tilbrook AJ. PMID: 16959831.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 8     Fields:    Translation:Animals
    34. New insights regarding glucocorticoids, stress and gonadotropin suppression. Front Neuroendocrinol. 2006 Jul; 27(2):233-45. Breen KM, Karsch FJ. PMID: 16712908.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 41     Fields:    Translation:Animals
    35. Does season alter responsiveness of the reproductive neuroendocrine axis to the suppressive actions of cortisol in ovariectomized ewes? Biol Reprod. 2006 Jan; 74(1):41-5. Breen KM, Karsch FJ. PMID: 16148215.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 5     Fields:    Translation:Animals
    36. Endocrine basis for disruptive effects of cortisol on preovulatory events. Endocrinology. 2005 Apr; 146(4):2107-15. Breen KM, Billings HJ, Wagenmaker ER, Wessinger EW, Karsch FJ. PMID: 15625239.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 41     Fields:    Translation:Animals
    37. Does the type II glucocorticoid receptor mediate cortisol-induced suppression in pituitary responsiveness to gonadotropin-releasing hormone? Endocrinology. 2004 Jun; 145(6):2739-46. Breen KM, Stackpole CA, Clarke IJ, Pytiak AV, Tilbrook AJ, Wagenmaker ER, Young EA, Karsch FJ. PMID: 15033919.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 9     Fields:    Translation:Animals
    38. Does cortisol inhibit pulsatile luteinizing hormone secretion at the hypothalamic or pituitary level? Endocrinology. 2004 Feb; 145(2):692-8. Breen KM, Karsch FJ. PMID: 14576178.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 40     Fields:    Translation:Animals
    39. Endotoxin inhibits the surge secretion of gonadotropin-releasing hormone via a prostaglandin-independent pathway. Endocrinology. 2004 Jan; 145(1):221-7. Breen KM, Billings HJ, Debus N, Karsch FJ. PMID: 14551234.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 7     Fields:    Translation:Animals
    40. Does cortisol mediate endotoxin-induced inhibition of pulsatile luteinizing hormone and gonadotropin-releasing hormone secretion? Endocrinology. 2002 Oct; 143(10):3748-58. Debus N, Breen KM, Barrell GK, Billings HJ, Brown M, Young EA, Karsch FJ. PMID: 12239084.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 21     Fields:    Translation:Animals
    41. Mechanisms for ovarian cycle disruption by immune/inflammatory stress. Stress. 2002 Jun; 5(2):101-12. Karsch FJ, Battaglia DF, Breen KM, Debus N, Harris TG. PMID: 12186688.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 33     Fields:    Translation:Animals
    42. Effect of duration of infusion of stress-like concentrations of cortisol on follicular development and the preovulatory surge of LH in sheep. Anim Reprod Sci. 2000 Nov 01; 63(3-4):167-75. Macfarlane MS, Breen KM, Sakurai H, Adams BM, Adams TE. PMID: 10989227.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 12     Fields:    Translation:Animals
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