Director, Lab Animal Resources
Associate Professor, Department of Biomedical Sciences
Contact Information
Email:Biosketch
Christopher S. Keator, PhD, is a classically trained animal scientist with a focus in reproductive endocrinology and physiology. He has conducted research in both agricultural species and small laboratory animals, including nonhuman primates. He started his faculty career at Ross University School of Medicine where he served as the Director of the Reproductive I and II Modules from 2012-2014; he was then recruited to WMed to serve as a charter faculty member for the new medical school, and from 2014-2022 served as the Founding Director of the Endocrine and Reproductive Course and Founding Director of Explorations. He served as the Founding Chair of the WMed Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) from 2016-2023 and negotiated the PHS Assurance with NIH OLAW in 2017, and steered the program to Full Accreditation with AAALAC International in 2019. Since 2021 he has served as the Assistant Dean to provide supervisory oversight of WMed Animal Resources and the WMed Vivarium.
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Education and Training
- Postdoctoral Research Fellowship 2011, Reproductive Biology, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health & Science University
- PhD 2006, Animal Science, Physiology of Reproduction, University of Connecticut
- MS 2001, Animal Science, Physiology of Reproduction, University of Connecticut
- BS 1997, Biology, SUNY College at Oneonta
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Publications
Rebar R.W., Keator C.S. Polycystic ovary syndrome: consider the entire spectrum Fertility and Sterility. 2024;121:934-936.
Rebar R.W., Keator C.S. The history and future of in vitro fertilization in the United States: the complex interrelationships among basic science, human medicine, and politics F and S Science. 2023;4:102-113.
Rebar R.W., Keator C.S. Expanding our knowledge of premature ovarian insufficiency Fertility and Sterility. 2021;115:328-329.
Keator C.S. Taking an interest in small animal research programs Lab Animal. 2020;49(10):277-281.
Keator C.S., Jackson J.A., Strake J.G. No harm in picking up the phone and making the call Lab Animal. 2019;48(8):223.
Keator C., Dickinson B.L., Lackey W.L., Morris A., Quesnelle K.M., Riddle D.R., Sheakley M.L., Vanden Heuvel G.B., Vandre D.D. Explorations: a New Approach to Self-Directed Learning in a Competency-Based Curriculum Medical Science Educator. 2016;26:777-785.
Keator C., Vandre D.D., Morris A.M. The Challenges of Developing a Project-Based Self-Directed Learning Component for Undergraduate Medical Education Medical Science Educator. 2016;26:801-805.
Fritsch M., Schmidt N., Gröticke I., Frisk A.L., Keator C.S., Koch M., Slayden O.D. Application of a patient derived xenograft model for predicative study of uterine fibroid disease PLoS ONE. 2015;10(11)
Almeida-Francia C.C.D., Keator C.S., Mah K., Holden L., Hergert C., Slayden O.D. Localization and hormonal regulation of endometrial matrix metalloproteinase-26 in the rhesus macaque Human Reproduction. 2012;27(6):1723-1734.
Keator C.S., Mah K., Slayden O.D. Alterations in progesterone receptor membrane component 2 (PGRMC2) in the endometrium of macaques afflicted with advanced endometriosis Molecular Human Reproduction. 2012;18(6):308-319.
McCracken J.A., Custer E.E., Schreiber D.T., Tsang P.C.W., Keator C.S., Arosh J.A. A new in vivo model for luteolysis using systemic pulsatile infusions of PGF <inf>2α</inf> Prostaglandins and Other Lipid Mediators. 2012;97(3-4):90-96.
Keator C., Mah K., Ohm L., Slayden O. Estrogen and progesterone regulate expression of the endothelins in the rhesus macaque endometrium Human Reproduction. 2011;26(7):1715-1728.
Keator C.S., Lindner J.R., Belcik J.T., Bishop C.V., Slayden O.D. Contrast-enhanced ultrasound reveals real-time spatial changes in vascular perfusion during early implantation in the macaque uterus Fertility and Sterility. 2011;95(4)
Keator C., Custer E., Hoagland T., Schreiber D., Mah K., Lawson A., Slayden O., McCracken J. Evidence for a potential role of neuropeptide Y in ovine corpus luteum function Domestic Animal Endocrinology. 2010;38(2):103-114.
Keator C., Schreiber D., Hoagland T., McCracken J. Luteotrophic and luteolytic effects of nitric oxide in sheep are dose-dependent in vivo Domestic Animal Endocrinology. 2008;35(1):74-80.
Keator C., Schreiber D., Hoagland T., McCracken J., Milvae R. Intrauterine infusion of BQ-610, an endothelin type A receptor antagonist, delays luteolysis in dairy heifers Domestic Animal Endocrinology. 2008;34(4):411-418.
Slayden O., Keator C. Role of progesterone in nonhuman primate implantation Seminars in Reproductive Medicine. 2007;25(6):418-430.