We are investigating the various phenotypes and gene expressions, which are obtained by using the autoimmune disease model mice. In particular, my research is focusing on the pathology and the causative genes concerning the oligospermia, the meiotic metaphase specific-cell death in spermatocytes, the heat stress resistance of spermatocytes, the ovarian cyst derived from rete ovarii, and the chronic kidney diseases in MRL/MpJ mice. Additionally, the function of blood-testis-barrier and the mechanism appearing oocytes in testis are analyzed for elucidating mammalian sexual differentiation. Furthermore, we are analyzing the molecular basis of nephrogenesis, focusing Hnf4 alpha, and the pathology and the development of diagnostic method in the chronic kidney disease using diseased model mice and companion animals.

1. Promotion of curriculum constructing The Basic Veterinary Sciences and The Advanced Veterinary Sciences

1. Lee, S. H., Ichii, O., Otsuka, S., Elewa, Y. H., Namiki, Y., Hashimoto, Y., Kon, Y. 2011. Ovarian cysts in MRL/MpJ mice are derived from the extraovarian rete: a developmental study. J. Anat. 219: 743-755.
2. Kimura, J., Ichii, O., Otsuka, S., Namiki, Y., Hashimoto, Y., Kon, Y. 2010. Quantitative and qualitative urinary cellular patterns correlate with progression of murine glomerulonephritis. PLoS One 6: e16472.
3. Chihara, M., Otsuka, S., Ichii, O., Hashimoto, Y., Kon, Y. 2010. Molecular dynamics of the blood-testis barrier components during murine spermatogenesis. Mol. Reprod. Develop. 77: 630-639.
4. Kanazawa, T., Konno, A., Hashimoto, Y., Kon, Y. 2010. Hepatocyte nuclear factor 4 alpha is related to survival of the condensed mesenchyme in the developing mouse kidney. Develop. Dyn. 239: 1145-1154.
5. Otsuka, S., Konno, A., Hashimoto, Y., Sasaki, N., Endoh, D., Kon, Y. 2008. Oocytes in newborn MRL mouse testes. Biol. Reprod. 79: 9-16.