Dr Tony Michael

Dr Tony Michael joined SGUL as a Senior Lecturer in July 2005, and was promoted to Reader in Reproductive Science in July 2007. After graduating from UCL in Zoology in 1988, he obtained his PhD in Biochemistry in 1991 for studies into “Intracellular Mechanisms Involved In The Hormonal Control Of Luteal Regression In Primates” (Institute of Zoology/UCL).Following post-doctoral research with Prof Brian Cooke at the Royal Free Hospital School of Medicine*, Dr Michael was appointed to a Lectureship in Biochemistry & Molecular Biology (1994) at the RFHSM, and promoted to Senior Lecturer in 2000 at University College London.(*His post-doctoral research including residential training with Prof Evan Simpson at the University of Texas South-Western Medical Center in Dallas and with Prof Jonathan Seckl at the University of Edinburgh).

During the course of his PhD, Dr Michael began his investigations into cellular mechanisms for the control of steroid hormone synthesis and metabolism in reproductive tissues.This has remained his major research interest throughout his research career, with a focus on the biomedical significance of the metabolism and actions of glucocorticoid steroids (e.g. cortisol) in the ovary.(His research interests also include studies of the cellular signalling pathways by which prostaglandins act in the ovary and the possible role for prostaglandins in mediating cellular responses to lipoproteins).

Since 1991, Dr Michael and his research team have been investigating the clinical importance and cellular regulation of cortisol-cortisone metabolism by the 11b-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (11bHSD) enzymes.Studies by this research group have linked levels of ovarian 11bHSD activity to the probability of achieving pregnancy through in vitro fertilisation-embryo transfer (IVF-ET).Having shown that ovarian follicular fluid contains natural compounds that can inhibit cortisol metabolism by 11bHSD, Dr Michael’s research group have shown that the levels of these enzyme inhibitors can also predict the chances of becoming pregnant in women undergoing IVF-ET.In collaboration with Dr Lisa Thurston (Royal Veterinary College, London), Dr Michael has recently established that semen also contains lipids that can affect glucocorticoid signalling via effects on the 11bHSD enzyme system.

Ongoing work in Dr Michael’s laboratories, conduced in collaboration with Dr Rachel Webb (Senior Research Fellow), includes studies of steroid metabolism in intact ovarian follicles and in cumulus-oocyte complexes, as well as in human granulosa-lutein cells recovered in the course of IVF-ET.Dr Michael’s research collaborations include projects with Drs Helen Mason & Suman Rice (whose interests lie in ovarian follicle development, ovarian gene expression and PCOS), Prof Sabbir Ahmed & Dr Caroline Owen (Kingston University, Surrey), and Drs Robert Abayasekara, Rob Fowkes & Lisa Thurston (Royal Veterinary College, London).These research projects are conducted as part of the SGUL Centre for Development & Endocrine Signalling.

For this research programme, Dr Michael has optimised and established radiometric conversion assays to quantify the activities of a range of steroid-metabolising enzymes, including members of both the hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (HSD) and cytochrome P450 enzyme superfamilies.These assays are in routine use, and can be used to screen test compounds for potential effects on the cellular actions of steroid hormones.(Dr Michael offers a contract service to assess compounds using these assays — see www.steroidtox.sgul.ac.uk for further information).Techniques in the lab also include primary cell culture, immunoassays (RIAs and ELISAs), immunohistochemistry, Western blotting and quantitative, real-time PCR.

Key Publications:

AE Michael, L Gregory, SM Walker, JW Antoniw, RW Shaw, CRW Edwards & BA Cooke (1993) Ovarian 11b-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activity: potential predictor for conception by in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer. Lancet 342: 711-712

AE Michael, L Gregory, EC Piercy, SM Walker, RW Shaw & BA Cooke (1995) Ovarian 11b-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activity in human granulosa-lutein cells is inversely related to the outcome of IVF-ET in initial and repeat treatment cycles. Fertil.Steril. 64: 590-598

AE Michael, M Evagelatou, DP Norgate, RJ Clarke, JW Antoniw, B Stedman, A Brennan, R Welsby, I Bujalska, PM Stewart & BA Cooke (1997) Isoforms of 11b-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase in human granulosa-lutein cells. Mol.Cell.Endocrinol. 132: 43-52

AE Michael, TD Collins, DP Norgate, L Gregory, PJ Wood & BA Cooke (1999) Relationship between ovarian cortisol:cortisone ratios and the clinical outcome of in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET). Clin.Endocrinol. 51: 535-540

TE Harris, PE Squires, AE Michael, A López Bernal & DRE Abayasekara (2001) Human granulosa-lutein cells express functional EP1 and EP2 prostaglandin receptors. Biochem.Biophys.Res.Comm. 285: 1089-1094

J Ragoobir, DRE Abayasekara, KR Bruckdorfer & AE Michael (2002) Stimulation of progesterone production in human granulosa-lutein cells by lipoproteins: evidence for cholesterol-independent actions of high-density lipoproteins. J.Endocr. 173: 103-111

LM Thurston, DP Norgate, KC Jonas, C Chandras, HJ Kloosterboer, BA Cooke & AE Michael (2002) Ovarian modulators of 11b-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (11bHSD) activity in follicular fluid from gonadotrophin-stimulated assisted conception cycles. Reproduction 124: 801-812

WCY Yoong, SM Tuck & AE Michael (2003) Binding of ovarian steroids to erythrocytes in patients with sickle cell disease; effects on cell sickling and osmotic fragility. J.Steroid Biochem.Mol.Biol. 84: 71-78

LM Thurston, KC Jonas, DRE Abayasekara & AE Michael (2003) Ovarian modulators of 11b-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (11bHSD) activity in follicular fluid from bovine and porcine large antral follicles and spontaneous ovarian cysts. Biol.Reprod. 68: 2157-2163

LM Thurston, DP Norgate, KC Jonas, L Gregory, PJ Wood, BA Cooke & AE Michael (2003) Ovarian modulators of type 1 11b-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (11bHSD) activity and intra-follicular cortisol:cortisone ratios correlate with the clinical outcome of IVF. Hum.Reprod. 18: 1603-1612

LM Thurston, E Chin, KC Jonas, I Bujalska, PM Stewart, DRE Abayasekara & AE Michael (2003) Expression of 11b-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (11bHSD) proteins in luteinizing human granulosa-lutein cells. J.Endocr. 178: 127-135

AE Michael, LM Thurston & MT Rae (2003) Glucocorticoid metabolism and reproduction: a tale of two enzymes. Reproduction 126: 425-441

AE Michael (2003) Do biochemical predictors of IVF outcome exist? IN Van Blerkom & Gregory [Eds.] “Essential IVF: Basic Research and Clinical Applications” (Kluwer Academic Press, Dordrecht, NL) pp.81-108

S McMullen, JC Ogersby, LM Thurston, TS Gadd, PJ Wood, DC Wathes & AE Michael (2004) Alterations in placental 11b-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (11bHSD) activities and fetal cortisol:cortisone ratios induced by nutritional restriction prior to conception and at defined stages of gestation in ewes. Reproduction 127: 717-725

C Chandras, J Ragoobir, GE Barrett KR Bruckdorfer, A Graham, DRE Abayasekara & AE Michael (2004) Roles for prostaglandins in the steroidogenic response of human granulosa cells to high-density lipoproteins. Mol.Cell.Endocrinol. 222: 1-8

KC Jonas, C Chandras, DRE Abayasekara & AE Michael (2006) Role for prostaglandins in the regulation of type 1 11b-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase in human granulosa-lutein cells. Endocrinology 147: 5865-5872

LM Thurston, DRE Abayasekara & AE Michael (2007) 11b-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase expression and activities in bovine granulosa cells and corpora lutea implicate corticosteriods in bovine ovarian physiology. J. Endocr. 193:299-310

• Click here for a complete list of Dr Michael’s publications (link to PubMed — search “Michael AE”).
• Click here for details of the commercial research services offered in Dr Michael’s laboratories.