Varykina Thackray

Title(s)Professor In Residence, Ob/Gyn & Reproductive sciences
SchoolVc-health Sciences-schools
Address9500 Gilman Drive #
La Jolla CA 92093
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    Collapse Biography 
    Collapse Education and Training
    Middlebury College, Middlebury, VTB.A.1991Biology
    University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, Denver, COPh.D.2002Molecular Biology
    UC San Diego, San Diego, CAPost-doc2008Reproductive Endocrinology
    Collapse Awards and Honors
    2009Women in Endocrinology Young Investigator Award
    2012Endocrine Society Early Investigators Award
    2017Association for Women in Science San Diego Achievement in Outreach or Community Service Award
    2018Association for Women in Science San Diego Leadership Service Award
    2021Association for Women in Science San Diego Board Special Award
    2022Association for Women in Science San Diego President’s Award

    Collapse Overview 
    Collapse Overview
    Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrine disorder in women, with a prevalence of 10-15%. In addition to a reproductive phenotype that results in an increased risk of infertility and pregnancy complications, a majority of women with PCOS have metabolic abnormalities that result in an increased risk of obesity, type 2 diabetes, gestational diabetes, hypertension, and NAFLD. One objective of our research is to understand the etiology and pathophysiology of PCOS including the role of the gut microbiome using relevant animal models. Another objective is to understand the role of sex steroids in regulating sex differences in the gut microbiome which impact many physiological processes and are implicated in diseases with sex bias including reproductive, metabolic, autoimmune, and neurological disorders.
    Collapse Websites

    Collapse Research 
    Collapse Research Activities and Funding
    The Role of the Gut Microbiome in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
    NIH/NICHD R01 HD095412Feb 15, 2019 - Jan 31, 2024
    Role: Principal Investigator
    Project I - Role of FSH in Female Infertility
    NIH/NICHD P50HD012303Aug 1, 2016 - Mar 31, 2021
    Role: Co-Investigator
    Transcriptional control of pituitary gonadotropin genes
    NIH R01HD067448Aug 23, 2011 - May 31, 2017
    Role: Principal Investigator
    Project I - Integration of Hormone Signaling in the Pituitary Gonadotrope
    NIH/NICHD P50 HD012303Apr 1, 2009 - Mar 31, 2014
    Role: Co-Investigator
    Integration of PR and FoxO Signaling in Pituitary Gonadotropes
    NIH K01DK080467Sep 1, 2008 - Aug 31, 2011
    Role: Principal Investigator
    The Role of Smads and AR in FSHbeta Gene Expression
    NIH F32DK065437Sep 1, 2003 - Aug 31, 2006
    Role: Principal Investigator
    San Diego IRACDA Scholars Program
    NIH K12GM068524Aug 1, 2003 - Jun 30, 2026
    Role: Co-Investigator

    Collapse ORNG Applications 
    Collapse Faculty Mentoring

    Collapse Bibliographic 
    Collapse 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. Genetic hypogonadal (Gnrh1hpg) mouse model uncovers influence of reproductive axis on maturation of the gut microbiome during puberty. bioRxiv. 2024 Jul 02. Sisk-Hackworth L, Akhavan SR, Krutkin DD, Kelley ST, Thackray VG. PMID: 39005422; PMCID: PMC11245025.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions:
    2. Harnessing the power within: engineering the microbiome for enhanced gynecologic health. Reprod Fertil. 2024 04 01; 5(2). Brennan C, Chan K, Kumar T, Maissy E, Brubaker L, Dothard MI, Gilbert JA, Gilbert KE, Lewis AL, Thackray VG, Zarrinpar A, Knight R. PMID: 38513356; PMCID: PMC11046331.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions:    Fields:    Translation:HumansAnimals
    3. Genetic hypogonadal mouse model reveals niche-specific influence of reproductive axis and sex on intestinal microbial communities. Biol Sex Differ. 2023 11 06; 14(1):79. Sisk-Hackworth L, Brown J, Sau L, Levine AA, Tam LYI, Ramesh A, Shah RS, Kelley-Thackray ET, Wang S, Nguyen A, Kelley ST, Thackray VG. PMID: 37932822; PMCID: PMC10626657.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 2     Fields:    Translation:HumansAnimalsCells
    4. Metabolic dysregulation and gut dysbiosis linked to hyperandrogenism in female mice. Endocrinol Diabetes Metab. 2024 Jan; 7(1):e443. Chen A, Handzel A, Sau L, Cui L, Kelley ST, Thackray VG. PMID: 37872876; PMCID: PMC10782063.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions:    Fields:    Translation:HumansAnimals
    5. Metagenome-Assembled Genomes from Murine Fecal Microbiomes Dominated by Uncharacterized Bacteria. Microbiol Resour Announc. 2023 Mar 16; 12(3):e0116222. Rastegar K, Kelley ST, Thackray VG. PMID: 36779794; PMCID: PMC10019230.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions:
    6. Sex, puberty, and the gut microbiome. Reproduction. 2023 02 01; 165(2):R61-R74. Sisk-Hackworth L, Kelley ST, Thackray VG. PMID: 36445259; PMCID: PMC9847487.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 13     Fields:    Translation:Humans
    7. Gut Metabolites Are More Predictive of Disease and Cohoused States than Gut Bacterial Features in a Polycystic Ovary Syndrome-Like Mouse Model. mSystems. 2021 Oct 26; 6(5):e0114920. Ho B, Ryback D, Benson B, Mason CN, Torres PJ, Quinn RA, Thackray VG, Kelley ST. PMID: 34519532; PMCID: PMC8547464.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 8     Fields:    
    8. Distal Enhancer Potentiates Activin- and GnRH-Induced Transcription of FSHB. Endocrinology. 2021 07 01; 162(7). Bohaczuk SC, Cassin J, Slaiwa TI, Thackray VG, Mellon PL. PMID: 33824966; PMCID: PMC8157479.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 4     Fields:    Translation:HumansAnimalsCells
    9. Androgen receptor positively regulates gonadotropin-releasing hormone receptor in pituitary gonadotropes. Mol Cell Endocrinol. 2021 06 15; 530:111286. Ryan GE, Bohaczuk SC, Cassin J, Witham EA, Shojaei S, Ho EV, Thackray VG, Mellon PL. PMID: 33872733; PMCID: PMC8177864.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 5     Fields:    Translation:AnimalsCells
    10. FSHB  Transcription is Regulated by a Novel 5' Distal Enhancer With a Fertility-Associated Single Nucleotide Polymorphism. Endocrinology. 2021 01 01; 162(1). Bohaczuk SC, Thackray VG, Shen J, Skowronska-Krawczyk D, Mellon PL. PMID: 33009549; PMCID: PMC7846141.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 13     Fields:    Translation:HumansAnimalsCells
    11. Intersection of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome and the Gut Microbiome. J Endocr Soc. 2021 Feb 01; 5(2):bvaa177. Rizk MG, Thackray VG. PMID: 33381671; PMCID: PMC7757431.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 33  
    12. Alterations in Gut Microbiota Do Not Play a Causal Role in Diet-independent Weight Gain Caused by Ovariectomy. J Endocr Soc. 2021 Jan 01; 5(1):bvaa173. Sau L, Olmstead CM, Cui LJ, Chen A, Shah RS, Kelley ST, Thackray VG. PMID: 33324864; PMCID: PMC7724750.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 5  
    13. Hyperactive LH Pulses and Elevated Kisspeptin and NKB Gene Expression in the Arcuate Nucleus of a PCOS Mouse Model. Endocrinology. 2020 04 01; 161(4). Esparza LA, Schafer D, Ho BS, Thackray VG, Kauffman AS. PMID: 32031594; PMCID: PMC7341557.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 29     Fields:    Translation:AnimalsCells
    14. 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: 10     Fields:    Translation:AnimalsCells
    15. Letrozole treatment of pubertal female mice results in activational effects on reproduction, metabolism and the gut microbiome. PLoS One. 2019; 14(9):e0223274. Arroyo P, Ho BS, Sau L, Kelley ST, Thackray VG. PMID: 31568518; PMCID: PMC6768472.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 26     Fields:    Translation:HumansAnimals
    16. Age- and Sex-Dependent Patterns of Gut Microbial Diversity in Human Adults. mSystems. 2019 Jul-Aug; 4(4). de la Cuesta-Zuluaga J, Kelley ST, Chen Y, Escobar JS, Mueller NT, Ley RE, McDonald D, Huang S, Swafford AD, Knight R, Thackray VG. PMID: 31098397; PMCID: PMC6517691.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 167     Fields:    
    17. Exposure to a Healthy Gut Microbiome Protects Against Reproductive and Metabolic Dysregulation in a PCOS Mouse Model. Endocrinology. 2019 05 01; 160(5):1193-1204. Torres PJ, Ho BS, Arroyo P, Sau L, Chen A, Kelley ST, Thackray VG. PMID: 30924862; PMCID: PMC6482036.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 38     Fields:    Translation:HumansAnimals
    18. Letrozole treatment of adult female mice results in a similar reproductive phenotype but distinct changes in metabolism and the gut microbiome compared to pubertal mice. BMC Microbiol. 2019 03 12; 19(1):57. Torres PJ, Skarra DV, Ho BS, Sau L, Anvar AR, Kelley ST, Thackray VG. PMID: 30871463; PMCID: PMC6419356.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 19     Fields:    Translation:Animals
    19. Sex, Microbes, and Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. Trends Endocrinol Metab. 2019 01; 30(1):54-65. Thackray VG. PMID: 30503354; PMCID: PMC6309599.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 74     Fields:    Translation:Humans
    20. American Gut: an Open Platform for Citizen Science Microbiome Research. mSystems. 2018 May-Jun; 3(3). McDonald D, Hyde E, Debelius JW, Morton JT, Gonzalez A, Ackermann G, Aksenov AA, Behsaz B, Brennan C, Chen Y, DeRight Goldasich L, Dorrestein PC, Dunn RR, Fahimipour AK, Gaffney J, Gilbert JA, Gogul G, Green JL, Hugenholtz P, Humphrey G, Huttenhower C, Jackson MA, Janssen S, Jeste DV, Jiang L, Kelley ST, Knights D, Kosciolek T, Ladau J, Leach J, Marotz C, Meleshko D, Melnik AV, Metcalf JL, Mohimani H, Montassier E, Navas-Molina J, Nguyen TT, Peddada S, Pevzner P, Pollard KS, Rahnavard G, Robbins-Pianka A, Sangwan N, Shorenstein J, Smarr L, Song SJ, Spector T, Swafford AD, Thackray VG, Thompson LR, Tripathi A, Vázquez-Baeza Y, Vrbanac A, Wischmeyer P, Wolfe E, Zhu Q, American Gut Consortium , Knight R. PMID: 29795809; PMCID: PMC5954204.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 363     Fields:    
    21. Gut Microbial Diversity in Women With Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Correlates With Hyperandrogenism. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2018 04 01; 103(4):1502-1511. Torres PJ, Siakowska M, Banaszewska B, Pawelczyk L, Duleba AJ, Kelley ST, Thackray VG. PMID: 29370410; PMCID: PMC6276580.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 148     Fields:    Translation:Humans
    22. Hyperandrogenemia Induced by Letrozole Treatment of Pubertal Female Mice Results in Hyperinsulinemia Prior to Weight Gain and Insulin Resistance. Endocrinology. 2017 09 01; 158(9):2988-3003. Skarra DV, Hernández-Carretero A, Rivera AJ, Anvar AR, Thackray VG. PMID: 28911175; PMCID: PMC5659661.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 21     Fields:    Translation:Animals
    23. The Gut Microbiome Is Altered in a Letrozole-Induced Mouse Model of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. PLoS One. 2016; 11(1):e0146509. Kelley ST, Skarra DV, Rivera AJ, Thackray VG. PMID: 26731268; PMCID: PMC4701222.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 74     Fields:    Translation:Animals
    24. 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: 90     Fields:    Translation:Animals
    25. FOXO1 is regulated by insulin and IGF1 in pituitary gonadotropes. Mol Cell Endocrinol. 2015 Apr 15; 405:14-24. Skarra DV, Thackray VG. PMID: 25676570; PMCID: PMC4363278.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 3     Fields:    Translation:AnimalsCells
    26. Constitutively active FOXO1 diminishes activin induction of Fshb transcription in immortalized gonadotropes. PLoS One. 2014; 9(11):e113839. Park CH, Skarra DV, Rivera AJ, Arriola DJ, Thackray VG. PMID: 25423188; PMCID: PMC4244159.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 4     Fields:    Translation:AnimalsCells
    27. Fox tales: regulation of gonadotropin gene expression by forkhead transcription factors. Mol Cell Endocrinol. 2014 Mar 25; 385(1-2):62-70. Thackray VG. PMID: 24099863; PMCID: PMC3947687.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 13     Fields:    Translation:HumansAnimalsCells
    28. Forkhead box O1 is a repressor of basal and GnRH-induced Fshb transcription in gonadotropes. Mol Endocrinol. 2013 Nov; 27(11):1825-39. Skarra DV, Arriola DJ, Benson CA, Thackray VG. PMID: 24065703; PMCID: PMC3805845.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 10     Fields:    Translation:HumansAnimalsCells
    29. A human FSHB promoter SNP associated with low FSH levels in men impairs LHX3 binding and basal FSHB transcription. Endocrinology. 2013 Sep; 154(9):3016-21. Benson CA, Kurz TL, Thackray VG. PMID: 23766128; PMCID: PMC3749480.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 16     Fields:    Translation:HumansAnimalsCells
    30. FOXO1 transcription factor inhibits luteinizing hormone β gene expression in pituitary gonadotrope cells. J Biol Chem. 2012 Sep 28; 287(40):33424-35. Arriola DJ, Mayo SL, Skarra DV, Benson CA, Thackray VG. PMID: 22865884; PMCID: PMC3460444.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 19     Fields:    Translation:HumansAnimalsCells
    31. 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: 21     Fields:    Translation:AnimalsCells
    32. FOXL2 is involved in the synergy between activin and progestins on the follicle-stimulating hormone β-subunit promoter. Endocrinology. 2012 Apr; 153(4):2023-33. Ghochani Y, Saini JK, Mellon PL, Thackray VG. PMID: 22294749; PMCID: PMC3320250.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 12     Fields:    Translation:AnimalsCells
    33. A FoxL in the Smad house: activin regulation of FSH. Trends Endocrinol Metab. 2010 Sep; 21(9):562-8. Coss D, Mellon PL, Thackray VG. PMID: 20598900; PMCID: PMC2933269.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 19     Fields:    Translation:HumansAnimalsCells
    34. 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: 10     Fields:    Translation:AnimalsCells
    35. Hormones in synergy: regulation of the pituitary gonadotropin genes. Mol Cell Endocrinol. 2010 Jan 27; 314(2):192-203. Thackray VG, Mellon PL, Coss D. PMID: 19747958; PMCID: PMC2815122.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 65     Fields:    Translation:HumansAnimalsCells
    36. Progesterone Inhibits basal and gonadotropin-releasing hormone induction of luteinizing hormone beta-subunit gene expression. Endocrinology. 2009 May; 150(5):2395-403. Thackray VG, Hunnicutt JL, Memon AK, Ghochani Y, Mellon PL. PMID: 19106225; PMCID: PMC2671912.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 13     Fields:    Translation:HumansAnimalsCells
    37. Glucocorticoids induce human glycoprotein hormone alpha-subunit gene expression in the gonadotrope. Endocrinology. 2008 Jul; 149(7):3643-55. Sasson R, Luu SH, Thackray VG, Mellon PL. PMID: 18403486; PMCID: PMC2453092.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 8     Fields:    Translation:HumansCells
    38. Synergistic induction of follicle-stimulating hormone beta-subunit gene expression by gonadal steroid hormone receptors and Smad proteins. Endocrinology. 2008 Mar; 149(3):1091-102. Thackray VG, Mellon PL. PMID: 18079204; PMCID: PMC2275352.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 22     Fields:    Translation:AnimalsCells
    39. Activin and glucocorticoids synergistically activate follicle-stimulating hormone beta-subunit gene expression in the immortalized LbetaT2 gonadotrope cell line. Endocrinology. 2007 Feb; 148(2):762-73. McGillivray SM, Thackray VG, Coss D, Mellon PL. PMID: 17082263; PMCID: PMC2932480.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 29     Fields:    Translation:AnimalsCells
    40. Androgens, progestins, and glucocorticoids induce follicle-stimulating hormone beta-subunit gene expression at the level of the gonadotrope. Mol Endocrinol. 2006 Sep; 20(9):2062-79. Thackray VG, McGillivray SM, Mellon PL. PMID: 16675544; PMCID: PMC2941439.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 34     Fields:    Translation:HumansAnimalsCells
    41. Activin regulates luteinizing hormone beta-subunit gene expression through Smad-binding and homeobox elements. Mol Endocrinol. 2005 Oct; 19(10):2610-23. Coss D, Thackray VG, Deng CX, Mellon PL. PMID: 15961509; PMCID: PMC2932483.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 36     Fields:    Translation:AnimalsCells
    42. Androgen regulates follicle-stimulating hormone beta gene expression in an activin-dependent manner in immortalized gonadotropes. Mol Endocrinol. 2004 Apr; 18(4):925-40. Spady TJ, Shayya R, Thackray VG, Ehrensberger L, Bailey JS, Mellon PL. PMID: 14701939; PMCID: PMC2932479.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 24     Fields:    Translation:HumansAnimalsCells
    43. Novel activation step required for transcriptional competence of progesterone receptor on chromatin templates. Mol Endocrinol. 2003 Dec; 17(12):2543-53. Thackray VG, Toft DO, Nordeen SK. PMID: 14551264.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 6     Fields:    Translation:HumansAnimalsCells
    44. High-yield purification of functional, full-length steroid receptor coactivator 1 expressed in insect cells. Biotechniques. 2002 Feb; 32(2):260, 262-3. Thackray VG, Nordeen SK. PMID: 11848398.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 3     Fields:    Translation:HumansAnimalsCells
    45. Separable features of the ligand-binding domain determine the differential subcellular localization and ligand-binding specificity of glucocorticoid receptor and progesterone receptor. Mol Endocrinol. 2001 Jan; 15(1):17-31. Wan Y, Coxe KK, Thackray VG, Housley PR, Nordeen SK. PMID: 11145736.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 8     Fields:    Translation:AnimalsCells
    46. Estrogen agonist and antagonist action on the human estrogen receptor in Drosophila. Endocrinology. 2000 Oct; 141(10):3912-5. Thackray VG, Young RH, Hooper JE, Nordeen SK. PMID: 11014249.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 1     Fields:    Translation:HumansAnimals
    47. Phylogenetic analyses reveal ancient duplication of estrogen receptor isoforms. J Mol Evol. 1999 Nov; 49(5):609-14. Kelley ST, Thackray VG. PMID: 10552042.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 9     Fields:    Translation:HumansAnimals
    48. Differential gene induction by glucocorticoid and progesterone receptors. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol. 1998 Aug; 66(4):171-8. Thackray VG, Lieberman BA, Nordeen SK. PMID: 9744514.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 3     Fields:    Translation:HumansAnimalsCells
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