Ungulate reproduction and conservation; gamete biology (sperm, eggs and embryos); cryobiology; assisted reproduction in endangered species, in situ conservation and training
The primary goal of Budhan S. Pukazhenthi's research is the conservation of critically endangered species including ungulates and elephants in captivity and in the wild. His research interests include understanding the fundamental reproductive biology of rare and endangered species, mitigating infertility, developing assisted reproductive technologies, and gamete and embryo cryopreservation. Recently, his team produced the world's first Przewalski's horse foal via artificial insemination. Pukazhenthi also studies the reproductive biology of African lions in an effort to enhance reproduction in zoological institutions and developing innovative technologies for preservation of male and female gametes and reproductive tissues.
Pukazhenthi's team produced the world's first Przewalski's horse foal via artificial insemination. He is involved in various field conservation projects including in the reintroduction of Eld's deer into the Western Forest Complex in Thailand and population surveys of Baird's tapir in Panama. He also recently completed a biomedical survey of all Baird's tapirs maintained in captivity in Panama and for the first time, successfully collected and cryopreserved tapir spermatozoa. Pukazhenthi is a strong advocate for the development of collaborative research and actively participates in the activities of various species management organizations, including the Conservation Breeding Specialist Group (of the IUCN-World Conservation Union), the Ungulate Taxon Advisory Group and various Species Survival Plans under the umbrella of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). He also serves as chair of the AZA's Biomaterial Banking Advisory Group, reproductive advisor of AZA's lion Species Survival Plan, and is a member of AZA's Ungulate Taxon Advisory Group). Pukazhenthi completed his bachelor's degree in veterinary sciences at the Madras Veterinary College in India in 1987. He also has a master's degree and a doctorate from the University of Maryland. He completed a post-doctoral training at the Smithsonian National Zoological Park in 1998, where he trained with JoGayle Howard and David Wildt. Pukazhenthi also was a recipient of the prestigious Special Emphasis Research Career Award from NIH, University of Maryland College of Agriculture and Natural Resources Alumni Early Career Award, and Outstanding Alumni Award.
Gooley, Rebecca M., Dicks, Kara L., Ferrie, Gina M., Lacy, Robert C., Ballou, Jonathan D., Callicrate, Taylor, Senn, Helen, Koepfli, Klaus-Peter, Edwards, Cody W., and Pukazhenthi, Budhan S. 2022. "Applying genomics to metapopulation management in North American insurance populations of southern sable antelope (Hippotragus niger niger) and addra gazelle (Nanger dama ruficollis)." Global Ecology and Conservation, 33, Amsterdam; Netherlands: Elsevier. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gecco.2021.e01969.
2022
Alvarez‐Estape, Marina, Fontsere, Claudia, Serres‐Armero, Aitor, Kuderna, Lukas F. K., Dobrynin, Pavel, Guidara, Héla, Pukazhenthi, Budhan S., Koepfli, Klaus‐Peter, Marques‐Bonet, Tomas, Moreno, Eulalia, and Lizano, Esther. 2022. "Insights from the rescue and breeding management of Cuvier's gazelle ( Gazella cuvieri ) through whole‐genome sequencing." Evolutionary Applications, 15, (3), 351–364. , https://doi.org/10.1111/eva.13336.
2022
Huffmeyer, Audra A., Pukazhenthi, Budhan S., and Wayne, Robert K. 2021. "Differential gene expression patterns in spermatozoa from teratospermic and normospermic domestic cats." Animal Reproduction Science 226:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anireprosci.2021.1066982021
Novaes, M. A. S., Lima, L. F., Sa, N. A. R., Ferreira, A. C. A., Paes, V. M., Souza, J. F., Alves, B. G., Gramosa, N. V., Torres, C. A. A., Pukazhenthi, Budhan S., Gastal, E. L., and Figueiredo, J. R. 2021. "Impact of ethanol and heat stress-dependent effect of ultra-diluted Arnica montana 6 cH on in vitro embryo production in cattle." Theriogenology 162:105-110. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.theriogenology.2020.12.0262021
Conley, A. J., Loux, S. C., Legacki, E. L., Stoops, M. A., Pukazhenthi, Budhan, Brown, Janine L., Sattler, R., French, H. M., Tibary, A., and Robeck, T. R. 2021. "The steroid metabolome of pregnancy, insights into the maintenance of pregnancy and evolution of reproductive traits." Molecular and cellular endocrinology, 528, Clare; Ireland: Elsevier Ireland Limited. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mce.2021.111241.
2021
Thompson, Riley E., Johnson, Aime K., Dini, Pouya, Turco, Margherita Y., Prado, Tulio M., Premanandan, Christopher, Burton, Graham J., Ball, Barry A., Whitlock, Brian K., and Pukazhenthi, Budhan S. 2020. "Hormone-responsive organoids from domestic mare and endangered Przewalski's horse endometrium." Reproduction 160 (6):819-831. https://doi.org/10.1530/REP-20-02662020
Pennington, Parker M., Splan, Rebecca K., Jacobs, Robert D., Chen, Yong, Singh, Ram P., Li, Yue, Gucek, Marjan, Wagner, Ashley L., Freeman, Elizabeth W., and Pukazhenthi, Budhan S. 2020. "Influence of Metabolic Status and Diet on Early Pregnant Equine Histotroph Proteome: Preliminary Findings." Journal of Equine Veterinary Science 88:Article 102938. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jevs.2020.1029382020
Singh, Ram Pratap, Escobar, Enrique, Wildt, David E., Patel, Seema, Costa, Guilherme M. J., and Pukazhenthi, Budhan. 2019. "Effect of sphingosine-1-phosphate on cryopreserved sheep testicular explants cultured in vitro." Theriogenology 128:184-192. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.theriogenology.2019.01.0382019
Jacobs, R. D., Ealy, A. D., Pennington, P. M., Pukazhenthi, Budhan S., Warren, L. K., Wagner, A. L., Johnson, A. K., Hess, T. M., Knight, J. W., and Splan, R. K. 2018. "Dietary Supplementation of Algae-derived Omega-3 Fatty Acids Influences Endometrial and Conceptus Transcript Profiles in Mares." Journal of Equine Veterinary Science 62:66-75. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jevs.2017.08.0012018
Wojtusik, Jessye, Wang, Yan, and Pukazhenthi, Budhan S. 2018. "Pretreatment with cholesterol-loaded cyclodextrins prevents loss of motility associated proteins during cryopreservation of addra gazelle (Nanger dama ruficollis) spermatozoa." Cryobiology 81:74-80. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cryobiol.2018.02.0072018
Wojtusik, Jessye, Brown, Janine L., and Pukazhenthi, Budhan S. 2017. "Non-invasive hormonal characterization of the ovarian cycle, pregnancy, and seasonal anestrus of the female addra gazelle (Nanger dama ruficollis)." Theriogenology 95:96-104. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.theriogenology.2017.02.0192017
Vansandt, Lindsey M., Livesay, Janelle L., Dickson, Melissa Joy, Li, Lei, Pukazhenthi, Budhan S., and Keefer, Carol L. 2016. "Conservation of spermatogonial stem cell marker expression in undifferentiated felid spermatogonia." Theriogenology 86 (4):1022-1035. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.theriogenology.2016.03.0312016
Crichton, Elizabeth G., Malo, Clara, Pukazhenthi, Budhan S., Nagy, Peter, and Skidmore, Julian A. 2016. "Evaluation of cholesterol- treated dromedary camel sperm function by heterologous IVF and AI." Animal Reproduction Science 174:20-28. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anireprosci.2016.08.0132016
Panyaboriban, Saritvich, Pukazhenthi, Budhan S., Brown, Megan E., Crowe, Chris, Lynch, Warren E., Singh, Ram P., Techakumphu, Mongkol, and Songsasen, Nucharin. 2016. "Influence of cooling and thawing conditions and cryoprotectant concentration on frozen-thawed survival of white-naped crane (Antigone vipio) spermatozoa." Cryobiology 73 (2):209-215. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cryobiol.2016.07.0092016
Wojtusik, Jessye, Pennington, Parker, Songsasen, Nucharin, Padilla, Luis R., Citino, Scott B., and Pukazhenthi, Budhan S. 2016. "Pretreatment of Addra gazelle (Nanger dama ruficollis) spermatozoa with cholesterol-loaded cyclodextrins improves cryosurvival." Cryobiology 73 (3):388-395. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cryobiol.2016.08.0122016
Panyaboriban, Saritvich, Singh, Ram Pratap, Songsasen, Nucharin, Padilla, Luis, Brown, Janine, Reed, Dolores, Techakumphu, Mongkol, and Pukazhenthi, Budhan S. 2016. "Reproductive seasonality and sperm cryopreservation in the male tufted deer (Elaphodus cephalophus)." Theriogenology 86 (4):914-923. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.theriogenology.2016.03.0142016
Pukazhenthi, Budhan S. 2016. "Saving wild ungulate diversity through enhanced management and sperm cryopreservation." Reproduction Fertility and Development, 1133–1144. 28, (8), CLAYTON; UNIPARK, BLDG 1, LEVEL 1, 195 WELLINGTON RD, LOCKED BAG 10, CLAYTON, VIC 3168, AUSTRALIA: CSIRO PUBLISHING. https://doi.org/10.1071/RD15412.
2016
Malo, C., Morrell, J. M., Crichton, E. G., Pukazhenthi, Budhan S., and Skidmore, J. A. 2016. "Use of colloid single layer centrifugation for dromedary camel semen: Effect of initial dilution and comparison of two colloids on sperm quality parameters." Animal Reproduction Science 169:123. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anireprosci.2016.03.0682016
Jacobs, R. D., Ealy, A. D., Pennington, P. M., Pukazhenthi, Budhan S., Warren, L. K., Wagner, A. L., Johnson, A. K., Hess, T. M., and Splan, R. K. 2015. "130 Effect of dietary omega-3 supplementation on equine endometrial and embryonic gene expression." Journal of Equine Veterinary Science 35 (5):438-439. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jevs.2015.03.1422015
Burnik Šturm, Martina, Pukazhenthi, Budhan S., Reed, Dolores, Ganbaatar, Oyunsaikhan, Sušnik, Stane, Haymerle, Agnes, Voigt, Christian C., and Kaczensky, Petra. 2015. "A protocol to correct for intra- and interspecific variation in tail hair growth to align isotope signatures of segmentally cut tail hair to a common time line: Aligning isotope signatures of hair segments to the correct time line." Rapid Communications in Mass Spectrometry 29 (11):1047-1054. https://doi.org/10.1002/rcm.71962015
Putman, Sarah B., Brown, Janine L., Franklin, Ashley D., Schneider, Emily C., Boisseau, Nicole P., Asa, Cheryl S., and Pukazhenthi, Budhan S. 2015. "Characterization of Ovarian Steroid Patterns in Female African Lions (Panthera leo), and the Effects of Contraception on Reproductive Function." PloS One 10 (10):https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.01403732015
Crichton, Elizabeth G., Pukazhenthi, Budhan S., Billah, M., and Skidmore, Julian A. 2015. "Cholesterol addition aids the cryopreservation of dromedary camel (Camelus dromedarius) spermatozoa." Theriogenology 83 (2):168-174. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.theriogenology.2014.09.0052015
Daigle, C. L., Brown, Janine L., Carlstead, K., Pukazhenthi, Budhan S., Freeman, E. W., and Snider, R. J. 2015. "Multi-institutional survey of social, management, husbandry and environmental factors for the SSP African lion Panthera leo population: examining the effects of a breeding moratorium in relation to reproductive success." International Zoo Yearbook 49 (1):198-213. https://doi.org/10.1111/izy.120732015
Stewart, Rosemary A., Crosier, Adrienne E., Pelican, Katharine M., Pukazhenthi, Budhan S., Sitzmann, Brandon D., Porter, Tom E., Wildt, David E., Ottinger, Mary Ann, and Howard, JoGayle. 2015. "Progestin priming before gonadotrophin stimulation and AI improves embryo development and normalises luteal function in the cat." Reproduction Fertility and Development, 360–371. 27, (2), CLAYTON; UNIPARK, BLDG 1, LEVEL 1, 195 WELLINGTON RD, LOCKED BAG 10, CLAYTON, VIC 3168, AUSTRALIA: CSIRO PUBLISHING. https://doi.org/10.1071/RD13274.
2015
Pukazhenthi, Budhan S., Nagashima, Jennifer B., Travis, Alexander J., Costa, Guilherme M., Escobar, Enrique N., França, Luiz R., and Wildt, David E. 2015. "Slow freezing, but not vitrification supports complete spermatogenesis in cryopreserved, neonatal sheep testicular xenografts." PloS One 10 (4):https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.01239572015
Pukazhenthi, Budhan S., Johnson, Aime, Guthrie, H. David, Songsasen, Nucharin, Padilla, Luis R., Wolfe, Barbara A., da Silva, Marco Coutinho, Alvarenga, Marco A., and Wildt, David E. 2014. "Improved Sperm Cryosurvival in Diluents Containing Amides versus Glycerol in the Przewalski's Horse (Equus ferus przewalskii)." Cryobiology 68 (2):205-214. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cryobiol.2014.01.0132014
Schook, Mandi W., Wildt, David E., Weiss, Rachael B., Wolfe, Barbara A., Archibald, Kate E., and Pukazhenthi, Budhan S. 2013. "Fundamental Studies of the Reproductive Biology of the Endangered Persian Onager (Equus hemionus onager) Result in First Wild Equid Offspring from Artificial Insemination." Biology of reproduction 89 (2):41. https://doi.org/10.1095/biolreprod.113.1101222013
Jewgenow, K., Pukazhenthi, Budhan S., and Schoen, J. 2012. "Analysis of Sertoli cell efficiency allows the differentiation between two fundamentally different forms of feline teratospermia." Theriogenology 79 (2):261-266. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.theriogenology.2012.08.0142012
Vick, Mandi,M., Wildt, David E., Turner, Jessica B., Palme, Rupert, Wolfe, Barbara A., and Pukazhenthi, Budhan S. 2012. "Glucocorticoid response to changes in enclosure size and human proximity in the Persian onager (Equus hemionus onager)." Stress 15 (1):52-61. https://doi.org/10.3109/10253890.2011.5782672012
Vansandt, L. M., Pukazhenthi, Budhan S., and Keefer, C. L. 2012. "Molecular Markers of Spermatogonial Stem Cells in the Domestic Cat." Reproduction in Domestic Animals 47 (Supplement S6):256-260. https://doi.org/10.1111/rda.120792012
Stewart, Rosemary A., Pelican, Katharine M., Crosier, Adrienne E., Pukazhenthi, Budhan S., Wildt, David E., Ottinger, Mary Ann, and Howard, JoGayle. 2012. "Oral Progestin Priming Increases Ovarian Sensitivity to Gonadotropin Stimulation and Improves Luteal Function in the Cat." Biology of reproduction 87 (6):137. https://doi.org/10.1095/biolreprod.112.1041902012
Kiso, Wendy K., Asano, Atsushi, Travis, Alexander J., Schmitt, Dennis L., Brown, Janine L., and Pukazhenthi, Budhan S. 2012. "Pretreatment of Asian elephant (Elephas maximus) spermatozoa with cholesterol-loaded cyclodextrins and glycerol addition at 4°C improves cryosurvival." Reproduction, Fertility and Development 24 (8):1134-1142. https://doi.org/10.1071/RD112662012
Pukazhenthi, Budhan S., Hagedorn, Mary M., Comizzoli, Pierre, Songsasen, Nucharin, and Wildt, David E. 2011. "Cryopreserving endangered species gametes, embryos and gonadal tissue: Challenges, successes and future directions." Cryobiology 63 (3):308-309. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cryobiol.2011.09.0142011
Kiso, Wendy K., Brown, Janine L., Siewerdt, Frank, Schmitt, Dennis L., Olson, Deborah, Crichton, Elizabeth G., and Pukazhenthi, Budhan S. 2011. "Liquid Semen Storage in Elephants (Elephas maximus and Loxodonta africana): Species Differences and Storage Optimization." Journal of andrology 32 (4):420-431. https://doi.org/10.2164/jandrol.110.0114602011
Siriaroonrat, B., Comizzoli, Pierre, Songsasen, Nucharin, Monfort, Steven L., Wildt, David E., and Pukazhenthi, Budhan S. 2010. "Oocyte quality and estradiol supplementation affect in vitro maturation success in the white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus)." Theriogenology 73 (1):112-119. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.theriogenology.2009.08.0072010
Pelican, K. M., Spindler, Rebecca E., Pukazhenthi, Budhan S., Wildt, David E., Ottinger, M. A., and Howard, JoGayle. 2010. "Progestin exposure before gonadotropin stimulation improves embryo development after in vitro fertilization in the domestic cat." Biology of Reproduction 83 (4):558-567. https://doi.org/10.1095/biolreprod.109.0833602010
Songsasen, Nucharin, Fickes, A., Pukazhenthi, Budhan S., and Wildt, David E. 2009. "Follicular morphology, oocyte diameter and localization of fibroblast growth factors in the domestic dog ovary." Reproduction in Domestic Animals (Supplement 2) 44:65-70.
2009
Comizzoli, Pierre, Wildt, David E., and Pukazhenthi, Budhan S. 2009. "In vitro compaction of germinal vesicle chromatin is beneficial to survival of vitrified cat oocytes." Reproduction in Domestic Animals 44:269-274.
2009
Wildt, David E., Comizzoli, Pierre, Pukazhenthi, Budhan S., and Songsasen, Nucharin. 2009. "Lessons from biodiversity - the value of nontraditional species to advance reproductive science, conservation, and human health." Molecular reproduction and development 77 (5):397-409. https://doi.org/10.1002/mrd.211372009
Schoen, J., Neumann, S., Wildt, David E., Pukazhenthi, Budhan S., and Jewgenow, K. 2009. "Localization of estrogen receptors in the epididymis during sexual maturation of the domestic cat." Reproduction in Domestic Animals 44:294-301.
2009
Godard, N. M., Pukazhenthi, Budhan S., Wildt, David E., and Comizzoli, Pierre. 2009. "Paracrine Factors from Cumulus-Enclosed Oocytes Ensure the Successful Maturation and Fertilization in Vitro of Denuded Oocytes in the Cat Model." Fertility and sterility 91 (5):2051-2060. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fertnstert.2008.05.0692009
Comizzoli, Pierre, Wildt, David E., and Pukazhenthi, Budhan S. 2008. "Impact of anisosmotic conditions on structural and functional integrity of cumulus-oocyte complexes at the germinal vesicle stage in the domestic cat." Molecular reproduction and development 75:345-354.
2008
Pukazhenthi, Budhan S., Santymire, Rachel, Crosier, Adrienne E., Howard, JoGayle, and Wildt, David E. 2007. "Challenges in cryopreserving endangered mammal spermatozoa: morphology and the value of acrosomal integrity as markers of cryo-survival." Society for Reproduction and Fertility (Supplement) 65:433-446.
2007
Wildt, David E., Howard, JoGayle, Pelican, K., Brown, J., and Pukazhenthi, Budhan S. 2009. "Contributions of reproductive science to wild felid conservation." in Iberian Lynx Ex-situ Conservation: An interdisciplinary approach., edited by Breitenmoser, U., Fundación Biodiversidad.
2009
The primary goal of Budhan Pukazhenthi's research is the conservation of critically endangered species including ungulates and elephants in captivity and in the wild. His research interests include understanding the fundamental reproductive biology of rare and endangered species, mitigating infertility, developing assisted reproductive technologies (artificial insemination and in vitro fertilization/embryo transfer), and gamete and embryo cryopreservation. Recently his team produced the world's first Przewalski's horse foal via artificial insemination. He is also studying the reproductive biology of African lions in an effort to enhance reproduction in zoological institutions and developing innovative technologies for preservation of male and female gametes and reproductive tissues (testes and ovarian tissue cryopreservation).