Nina Stachenfeld, PhD
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Senior Research Scientist in Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences
Biography
My research program addresses reproductive hormone effects on cardiovascular and autonomic function, exercise responses, temperature and body fluid regulation,. We also study Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, endometriosis and the impact of hormones on cardiovascular health in transgender people. Our laboratory also studies the interaction between sex hormone exposure and insulin resistance.
Appointments
Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences
Senior Research ScientistPrimary
Other Departments & Organizations
Education & Training
- PhD
- Columbia University (1993)
Research
Overview
Adequate body fluid and cardiovascular regulation are essential to respond to environmental challenges. Over my first years at Yale we demonstrated that estradiol, with and without progesterone, alters the osmotic regulation of arginine vasopressnin (AVP). Moreover, my laboratory has shown under a variety conditions and within both aging and younger populations that this is a change in osmotic set point for the control of AVP. We came to this conclusion because there is little change in renal free water clearance, the primary fluid regulation variable controlled by AVP. In addition we demonstrated that estradiol and progesterone not only affect osmotic regulation of AVP, but also affect body fluid distribution across the compartments (interstitial, intra- and extra-cellular, plasma) and may have important implications for the development of edema in women.
More importantly, in order to deal with challenges associated with studying reproductive hormone effects on physiological systems, we developed a model to study effects of reproductive hormones on physiological systems in young women. In this model we “medically oophorectomize” young women by transiently suppressing gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) with an agonist (leuprolide acetate) or antagonist (ganirelix acetate). Both of these drugs suppress GnRH and therefore suppress both estrogens and progesterone. Recently, a new drug, elagolix has become available that accomplishes the same goal.
While the women are suppressed, we add-back controlled levels of estradiol and progesterone to test the hypothesis of interest. This protocol is particularly useful because it isolates estradiol, progesterone or testosterone effects in young women. Other methods of studying estradiol effects in young women (such as pregnancy, oral contraceptives, menstrual cycle phase) can only indirectly infer estradiol-related effects because other physiological changes are taking place simultaneously. This model provides a unique opportunity to examine the effect of the chosen sex hormone on a variety of system.
Our studies now address more directly hormonal effects on cardiovascular function in women, including those of estrogens, progesterone and androgens on endothelial function in women with PCOS, endometriosis and in transgender men.
Our research continues to examine the effects of reproductive hormones (now including testosterone) on cardiovascular regulation, thermoregulation and fluid regulation in young, healthy women and in women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), endometriosis and transgender people.
My current grant addresses the impact of endometriosis on cardiovascular risk in women with endometriosis, and what we might do to mitigate this risk. We have just completed studies to examine the role of testosterone on blood pressure regulation in women PCOS, who present with mild hypertension. Our studies demonstrated an important role for testosterone both through the nervous and the renal systems in the regulation of blood pressure in women with PCOS.
We have just begun a study to examine cardiometabolic changes in transgender youth in collaboration with Stuart Weinzimer.
R01 HL71159 Title: Estrogen and progesterone effects on orthostatic intolerance P.I. Nina StachenfeldR01 HL135089 Mechanisms of hypertension in women with polycystic ovary syndrome Co-P.I. Nina Stachenfeld; Co- P.i. Jane Reckelhoff (U. of Mississippi)
R01 HL161000 Mechanisms and interventions addressing accelerated cardiovascular disease risk in women with endometriosis Co-P.I. Nina Stachenfeld; Co- P.i. Lacy Alexander (Penn State)
1R21HD107609 Cardiometabolic effects of gender-affirming hormone therapy in transgender adolescents Co-P.I. Co- P.i. Stuart Weinzimer; Co-PI Nina Stachenfeld
Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)
Research at a Glance
Yale Co-Authors
Publications Timeline
Research Interests
Jeffrey Bender, MD
Hugh Taylor, MD
Lubna Pal, MBBS, FACOG, MS
Michael Paidas, MD
Abigail Tran Colburn, PhD
Barbara Gulanski, MD, MPH
Blood Pressure
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
Endometriosis
Orthostatic Intolerance
Physiology
Publications
2024
Blood pressure responses to handgrip exercise but not apnea or mental stress are enhanced in women with a recent history of preeclampsia
Berbrier D, Adler T, Leone C, Paidas M, Stachenfeld N, Usselman C. Blood pressure responses to handgrip exercise but not apnea or mental stress are enhanced in women with a recent history of preeclampsia. AJP Heart And Circulatory Physiology 2024, 327: h140-h154. PMID: 38700469, DOI: 10.1152/ajpheart.00020.2024.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCitationsAltmetricConceptsMuscle sympathetic nerve activitySystolic blood pressureResponse to acute stimuliIsometric handgrip exercise protocolMental stressHandgrip exercise protocolCardiovascular diseaseExercise-induced increaseEffective prevention strategiesAcute stimuliExercise protocolHistory of preeclampsiaBlood pressureIntegrated muscle sympathetic nerve activityElevated long-term riskElevated cardiovascular riskLong-term riskEnd-expiratory apneaSympathetic nerve activityPrevention strategiesHandgrip exerciseBlood pressure responseRisk factorsExaggerated pressorHealthy pregnancyThe effect of acute estrogen suppression on cutaneous endothelium-dependent vasodilation in women with endometriosis
Colburn A, Leone C, Alexander L, Stachenfeld N. The effect of acute estrogen suppression on cutaneous endothelium-dependent vasodilation in women with endometriosis. Physiology 2024, 39: 421. DOI: 10.1152/physiol.2024.39.s1.421.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsEndothelium-dependent vasodilationEstrogen suppressionHealthy controlsLDF/mean arterial pressureSodium nitroprusside perfusionDose-response curveLaser Doppler flowmetryCardiovascular disease riskCutaneous vascular conductanceACh doseEndometriosis patientsPerfusion of acetylcholineMenstrual cycleIntradermal microdialysisSuppress estrogenEndothelial functionArterial pressureEndometriosisVasodilatory functionDoppler flowmetryVascular conductanceVasodilationMaximal vasodilationGraded perfusionEstrogenInhibition of NF-κB Activation Improves Non-Nitric Oxide-Mediated Cutaneous Microvascular Function in Reproductive-Aged Healthy Women
Content V, Williams A, Stachenfeld N, Alexander L. Inhibition of NF-κB Activation Improves Non-Nitric Oxide-Mediated Cutaneous Microvascular Function in Reproductive-Aged Healthy Women. Physiology 2024, 39: 562. DOI: 10.1152/physiol.2024.39.s1.562.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsInhibition of NF-kB activationCutaneous microvascular functionNF-kB activationMicrovascular functionHealthy womenCutaneous vascular conductanceSalsalate treatmentInflammatory mechanismsImpact of systemic inflammationIncreasing concentrations of acetylcholineIntradermal microdialysis fibersDose-response protocolCohort of patientsMeasuring cutaneous blood flowPlacebo-controlled designHealthy control subjectsSystemic vascular functionNO synthase inhibitorHuman cutaneous circulationLaser-Doppler flowmetryDose-response curveRed blood cell fluxBlood cell fluxCardiovascular disease riskVentral forearm skin
2023
Call for papers: “Cardiovascular regulation during exercise: role of biological sex and consequences of aging”
Stone A, Grotle A, Stachenfeld N. Call for papers: “Cardiovascular regulation during exercise: role of biological sex and consequences of aging”. AJP Regulatory Integrative And Comparative Physiology 2023, 326: r89-r90. PMID: 38145291, DOI: 10.1152/ajpregu.00285.2023.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH Keywords and ConceptsConceptsRegulationDifferent perspectives on women’s health, nutrition and endurance exercise
Charkoudian N, Lee J, Giersch G, DiPietro L, Stachenfeld N. Different perspectives on women’s health, nutrition and endurance exercise. Journal Of The International Society Of Sports Nutrition 2023, 20: 2286286. PMID: 38018805, PMCID: PMC11018311, DOI: 10.1080/15502783.2023.2286286.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchAltmetricMeSH KeywordsGuidelines on the use of sex and gender in cardiovascular research
Usselman C, Lindsey M, Robinson A, Habecker B, Taylor C, Merryman W, Kimmerly D, Bender J, Regensteiner J, Moreau K, Pilote L, Wenner M, O'Brien M, Yarovinsky T, Stachenfeld N, Charkoudian N, Denfeld Q, Moreira-Bouchard J, Pyle W, DeLeon-Pennell K. Guidelines on the use of sex and gender in cardiovascular research. AJP Heart And Circulatory Physiology 2023, 326: h238-h255. PMID: 37999647, PMCID: PMC11219057, DOI: 10.1152/ajpheart.00535.2023.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCitationsAltmetricThe Biological Basis of Sex Differences in Athletic Performance: Consensus Statement for the American College of Sports Medicine
Hunter S, Angadi S, Bhargava A, Harper J, Hirschberg A, Levine B, Moreau K, Nokoff N, Stachenfeld N, Bermon S. The Biological Basis of Sex Differences in Athletic Performance: Consensus Statement for the American College of Sports Medicine. Translational Journal Of The American College Of Sports Medicine 2023, 8: 1-33. DOI: 10.1249/tjx.0000000000000236.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCitationsAltmetricConceptsSex steroid hormonesConsensus statementAthletic performanceEndogenous sex steroid hormonesSex differencesSteroid hormonesOnset of pubertyExercise trainingMuscle strengthAcute boutFundamental sex differencesSex hormonesAmerican CollegeParticular testosteroneAdult menSports medicineTraining statusHigh-impact studiesHormoneSimilar ageNonphysiological factorsPrimary determinantMalesBiological basisWomenThe Biological Basis of Sex Differences in Athletic Performance: Consensus Statement for the American College of Sports Medicine
HUNTER S, ANGADI S, BHARGAVA A, HARPER J, HIRSCHBERG A, LEVINE B, MOREAU K, NOKOFF N, STACHENFELD N, BERMON S. The Biological Basis of Sex Differences in Athletic Performance: Consensus Statement for the American College of Sports Medicine. Medicine & Science In Sports & Exercise 2023, 55: 2328-2360. PMID: 37772882, DOI: 10.1249/mss.0000000000003300.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCitationsAltmetricMeSH Keywords and ConceptsConceptsSex steroid hormonesConsensus statementAthletic performanceEndogenous sex steroid hormonesSex differencesSteroid hormonesOnset of pubertyExercise trainingMuscle strengthAcute boutFundamental sex differencesSex hormonesAmerican CollegeParticular testosteroneAdult menSports medicineTraining statusHigh-impact studiesHormoneSimilar ageNonphysiological factorsPrimary determinantMalesBiological basisWomenEffects Of A Randomized Placebo-Controlled Oral Salsalate Intervention On Flow-Mediated Dilation In Women With Endometriosis
Kirby N, Williams A, Content V, Wolf S, Dillon G, Stachenfeld N, Alexander L. Effects Of A Randomized Placebo-Controlled Oral Salsalate Intervention On Flow-Mediated Dilation In Women With Endometriosis. Medicine & Science In Sports & Exercise 2023, 55: 398-399. DOI: 10.1249/01.mss.0000983544.89010.be.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsComment on “Effects of biological sex and oral contraceptive pill use on cutaneous microvascular endothelial function and nitric oxide-dependent vasodilation in humans”
Colburn A, Stachenfeld N. Comment on “Effects of biological sex and oral contraceptive pill use on cutaneous microvascular endothelial function and nitric oxide-dependent vasodilation in humans”. Journal Of Applied Physiology 2023, 135: 485-486. PMID: 37541850, DOI: 10.1152/japplphysiol.00335.2023.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCitationsMeSH Keywords and Concepts
Clinical Trials
Current Trials
Healthy women and women with Endometriosis volunteers needed
HIC ID2000022193RolePrincipal InvestigatorPrimary Completion Date08/30/2025Recruiting ParticipantsGenderFemaleAge18 years - 45 years
Academic Achievements and Community Involvement
activity Member
CommitteesSWIMDetails01/04/2010 - PresentDescriptionSWIMactivity Board Member
CommitteesWomen Faculty ForumDetails07/01/2019 - PresentDescriptionCurrently on Steering Committee.activity Fellow
Professional OrganizationsAmerican Physiological SocietyDetails1993 - Presentactivity Chair
CommitteesWomen Faculty ForumDetails07/01/2023 - Presenthonor Carl V. Gisolfi Lecture, 6/2010
National AwardAmerican College of Sports MedicineDetails04/06/2010United States
Links & Media
News
Related Links
- Women's Health Research at Yale
- Dr. Stachenfeld’s Lab Page
- Dr. Stachenfeld’s HERStudy: Heart Endometriosis Research Study: would you like to sign up?
- Committee on the Status of Women in Medicine
- Compromised endothelial function in transgender men taking testosterone
- A recent history of preeclampsia is associated with elevated central pulsewave velocity and muscle sympathetic outflow
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