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The University of Tennessee

The College of Veterinary Medicine

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Charmindrani Mendis-Handagama, DVM, Ph.D.


Professor, Chief, Reproduction Research Group
Department of Comparative Medicine
College of Veterinary Medicine
The University of Tennessee
2407 River Drive
Knoxville, TN 37996
Phone: (865) 974- 5824
FAX: (865) 974-5640
Email
Reproduction Research Group

Education

  • Veterinary Medicine and Surgery, The University of Sri Lanka, Peradeniya
  • Doctor of Philosophy, Monash University, Australia

Training

  • Post-Doctoral: The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD

Teaching

  • Veterinary Microscopic Anatomy
  • Diseases of the Endocrine System

Research Interests

LEYDIG CELLS: Leydig cells in the mammalian testis are the primary source of male hormones. These hormones, which are collectively called androgens, are essential for the male mammal during all stages of life to carry out different life processes. At adulthood and thereafter, androgens are required to carry out reproductive functions as well as to maintain function of many other organ systems such as bone, muscle and skin. Therefore, establishing the Leydig cell population in the postnatal testis is crucial to the mammalian male to reach puberty and adulthood. Moreover, in the adult, maintaining a structurally and functionally healthy population of Leydig cells in the testis is important to maintain the normal level of androgens required for the general health and well being. Research on Leydig cells in Dr. Mendis-Handagama’s laboratory is primarily focused on the following aspects in Leydig cells, mainly using rats and mice (including transgenic and knockout mice).
  1. Stem cell differentiation into Leydig cells in the postnatal testis
  2. Rejuvenation of aged Leydig cells
MALE CONTRACEPTION: Contraception or fertility regulation is th emost important tool in controling the world population. Research in Dr. Mendis-Handagama’s laboratory is also focused on finding the basic scientific information to develop a reversible male contraceptive that maintains the normal androgen levels. Such a method will be an attractive alternative to the limited options of the condoms, vasectomy and withdrawal, which are the only contraceptive methods currently available for men.

Professional Societies

  • Society for the Study of Reproduction
  • American Society of Andrology
  • American Association of Veterinary Anatomists
  • International Society for Stereology
  • Sri Lanka Veterinary Medical Association

Publications

  • Mendis-Handagama, S.M.L.C., Ariyaratne, H.B.S., Di Clemente, N., Mrkonjich, L. 2006. Detection of Anti-Mullerian Hormone Receptor Type II in Cells of the Rat Testis Interstitium from Birth to Sexual Maturity . Histol.Histopathol. 21:125-130.
  • Mendis-Handagama, S.M.L.C., Ariyaratne, H.B.S.(2005). Leydig cells, Thyroid Hormones and Steroidogenesis. Indian Journal of Experimental Biology43:939-962.
  • Mendis-Handagama, S.M.L.C., Ariyaratne, H.B.S. 2004. Prolonged and transient neonata lhypothyroidism on postnatal Leydig cell differentiation in the rattestis. Arch. Androl. 50:1-11.
  • Ariyaratne, H.B.S., Kim, I., Mills, N., Mason, J.I., Mendis-Handagama, S.M.L.C. 2003. Effect of EDS on functional structure of rat testis. Arch. Androl.49:313-326.
  • Mendis-Handagama, S.M.L.C., Ariyaratne, H.B.S. (2004). Effects of thyroid hormones on Leydig Cells in the postnatal testis. Histol.Hitopathol. 19:985-997.
  • Kim, I., Ariyaratne, H.B.S., Mendis-Handagama, S.M.L.C. 2002. Changes in the testis interstitium of Brown Norway rats with aging and effects of luteinizing and thyroid hormones on the aged testes in enhancing the steroidogenic potential. Biol. Reprod. 66:1359-1366.
  • Mendis-Handagama, S.M.L.C., H.B.S. Ariyaratne. (2001). Leydig cell differentiation in the postnatal testis. Biology of Reproduction 65:660-671.
  • Mendis-Handagama, S.M.L.C.,Kim, I., Ariyaratne, H.B.S. 2001. Rejuvenation of Leydig cells is possible in a rodent species. In: Andrology in the 21st Century, Proceedings of the VIIth International Congress of Andrology, Montreal, Canada, B. Robaire, H. Chemes and C. Morales (editors), Medimont , pp745-751.
  • Kim, I.S., Ariyaratne, H.B.S., Mendis-Handagama, S.M.L.C. 2001. Effects of continuous and intermittent exposure of lactating mothers to Aroclor 1242 on testicular steroidogenic function in the adult male offspring. Tiss. Cell 33:178-188.
  • Ariyaratne, H.B.S., Mendis-Handagama, S.M.L.C. 2000. Changes in structure and function of the testis interstitium in Sprague Dawley rats from birth to sexual maturity. Biol. Reprod. 62:680-690
  • Mendis-Handagama, S.M.L.C..2000. Peroxisomes and intracellular cholesterol trafficking in Leydig cells following luteinizing hormone stimulation. Tissue and Cell 32:103-107.
  • Ariyaratne, H.B.S., Mendis-Handagama, S.M.L.C., Hales, D.B., Mason, J.I. 2000. Studies on the onset of Leydig precursor cell differentiation in the prepubertal rat testis. Biol. Reprod. 63:165-171.
  • Ariyaratne, H.B.S., Mason, J.I, Mendis-Handagama, S.M.L.C.. 2000. Effects of tri-iodothyronine on testicular interstitial cells and androgen secretory capacity of the prepubertal rat. Biol.Reprod.63:493-502.
  • Ariyaratne, H.B.S., Mills, N., Mason, J.I., Mendis-Handagama, S.M.L.C.. 2000. Thyroid hormone and Leydig cell regeneration in the adult rat following ethanedimethane sulphonate treatment. Biol. Reprod. 63: 1115-1123
  • Ariyaratne, H.B.S., Mason, J.I., Mendis-Handagama, S.M.L.C. 2000. Effects of thyroid and luteinizing hormones on the onset of precursor cell differentiation into Leydig cells in the prepubertal rat testis. Biol. Reprod.63:898-904

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