We know a lot about most of the senses, like the workings of the eye, ear, and nose, but how do we sense our internal energy? How does a deficit in internal energy make us eat more food and how does poor nutrition decrease our sexual libido and cause infertility? These are some questions under investigation in our lab. Our research will provide important information relevant to understanding obesity, overeating, eating disorders, and infertility associated with poor nutrition.
In laboratory rodents and farm animals, we find that reproduction is sensitive to the availability of oxidizable glucose or free fatty acids and that low levels of these fuels lead to increased ingestive behavior (eating and/or food hoarding) and decreased courtship and mating. Furthermore, these effects are mediated by brain peptides such as NPY, Rfamide-related Peptide-3 (RFRP-3), and their receptors.
Some aspects of this system appear in most species, including the fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster, a species that allows us to easily manipulate gene expression. Thus, using fruit flies as a model system, we can determine the effects of oxidizable fuels and proteins on the choice between food and courtship. With this model system, we can more easily manipulate the expression of genes that encode brain peptides, such as Npf, the ortholog for human NPY and SIFamide and the SIFamide receptor, a homolog of mammalian RFRP-3, and we can more easily determine the effects of those peptides on ingestive and reproductive behavior.
Photo credits and captions (above):
Image 1 : Wilbur P. Williams (Green-stained RFRP-3 cell with red-stained projections from NPY cells)
Image 2: by Sarefo - Own work, CC BY 2.5
Image 3: Noah Benton (Brain cells after calorie restriction. Red cells contain RFRP-3, a peptide that increases food intake and inhibits reproduction. Green cells contain Fos, a marker for cellular activation. Red cells with green/yellow centers are RFRP-3 cells that have been activated by calorie-restricting diets.)
Schneider Lab Publications
Schneider, J. E., Integration of Peripheral and Central Signals in Control of Energy Intake, Storage, and Expenditure on Reproduction, Oxford Encyclopedia of Neuroscience, 2021.
Pfaff, D., Rubin, R. T., Schneider, J. E., Head, G. Principles of Hormone/Behavior Relations, 2nd Edition, Elsevier, 2018.
Benton, N. A., Russo, K. A., Brozek, J M., Andrews, R. J., Kim, V. J., Kriegsfeld, L. J., and Schneider, J. E. Food restriction-induced changes in motivation differ with stages of the estrous cycle and are closely linked to RFamide-related peptide-3 but not kisspeptin in Syrian hamsters. Physiology and Behavior, 190:43-60, 2018.
Schneider, J. E., Benton, N. A., Russo, K. A., Klingerman, C. M., Williams, W. P., III., Simberlund, J., Abdulhay, A. A., Brozek, J. M., and Kriegsfeld, L. J. RFamide-related peptide-3 and the trade-off between reproductive and ingestive behavior. Integrative and Comparative Biology, 2017, Volume 57, Issue 6, 1 December 2017, Pages 1225–1239.
Brozek, J. M., Schneider, J. E., and Rhinehart, E. Maternal programming of body weight in Syrian hamsters. Integrative and Comparative Biology, 2017, Volume 57, Issue 6, 1 December 2017, Pages 1245–1257.
Schneider, J. E. and Deviche, P. Molecular and neuroendocrine approaches to understanding trade-offs: Food, sex aggression, stress, and longevity. Integrative and Comparative Biology, 2017, Volume 57, Issue 6, 1 December 2017, Pages 1151–1160.
Schneider, J. E., Brozek, J., Keen-Rhinehart, E. Our stolen figures: The interface of sexual differentiation, endocrine disruptors, maternal programming, and energy balance. Hormones and Behavior 66:104-119, 2014.
Abdulhay, A., Benton, N. A., Klingerman, C. M., Krishnamoorthy, K., Brozek, J., and Schneider, J. E. Estrous cycle fluctuations in sex and ingestive behavior are accentuated by exercise and cold ambient temperature. Hormones and Behavior 66:135-147, 2014.
Schneider, J. E. Guest editor's introduction: Energy homeostasis in context. Hormones and Behavior 66:1-6, 2014.
Keen-Rhinehart, E., Ondek, K., and Schneider, J. E. 2013 Neuroendocrine regulation of appetitive ingestive behavior. Frontiers in Neuroscience doi: 10.3389/fnins.2013.00213, 2013.
Schneider, J. E., Wise, J. D., Benton, N. A., Brozek, J., Keen-Rhinehart , E. (2013) When Do We Eat? Ingestive Behavior, Survival, and Reproductive Success. Hormones and Behavior, 64(4):702=728, 2013.
Schneider, J. E., Klingerman, C. M., Abdulhay, A. (2012) Sense and nonsense in metabolic control of reproduction. Frontiers in Endocrinology, 3:26. doi: 10.3389/fendo.2012.00026, 2012.
Klingerman, C. M., Williams, W. P. III, Simberlund, J., Brahme, N., Prasad, A, Schneider, J. E. and Kriegsfeld, L. J. (2011) Food restriction-induced changes in gonadotropin-inhibiting hormone cells are associated with changes in sexual motivation and food hoarding, but not sexual performance and food intake. Frontiers in Endocrinology, 2:101. doi: 10.3389/fendo.2011.00101.
Klingerman, C. M., Patel, A., Hedges, V.L., Meisel, R.L. and Schneider, J.E. (2011) Effects of food restriction on appetitive aspects of sex and ingestive behavior and neural activation in the nucleus accumbens. Behavioral and Brain Research, 223: 356-370.
Klingerman, C. M., Krishnamoorthy, K., Patel, K., Spiro, A. B., Struby, C., Patel, A. and Schneider, J.E. (2010) Energetic challenges unmask the role of ovarian hormones in orchestrating ingestive and sex behaviors. Hormones and Behavior, 58:563-574, 2010.
Buckley, C.A., Schneider, J.E., and Cundall, D. Kinematic analysis of appetitive food-handling behavior: the functional morphology of Syrian hamster cheek pouches. Journal of Experimental Biology, 210: 3096-3106, 2007.
Szymanski, L. A., Schneider, J. E., Friedman, M. I., Ji, H., Kurose, Y., Blache, D., Rao, A., Dunshea, F.R., Clarke, I.J. Changes in insulin, glucose and ketone bodies, but not leptin or body fat content precede restoration of luteinising hormone secretion in re-fed ewes. Journal of Neuroendocrinology, 19:449-460, 2007.
Schneider, J.E. Casper, J.F. Barisich, A., Schoengold, C., Cherry, S., Surico, J., DeBarba, A., Fabris, F. and Rabold, E. Food deprivation and leptin prioritize ingestive and sex behavior without affecting estrous cycles in Syrian hamsters. Hormones and Behavior, 51(3):413-427, 2007.
Schneider, J. E. Metabolic and hormonal control of the desire for food and sex: Implications for obesity and eating disorders, Hormones and Behavior, 50:562-571, 2006.
Schneider, J. E. Metabolic and hormonal control of the desire for food and sex: Implications for obesity and eating disorders, Hormones and Behavior, 50:562-571, 2006.
Schneider, J.E. Energy balance and reproduction. Physiology and Behavior 81:289-317, 2004.
Buckley , C.A. and J.E. Schneider Food hoarding, but not food intake is increased by food deprivation and decreased by leptin treatment in Syrian hamsters. American Journal of Physiology 285:R1021-1029, 2003.
Schneider, J. E. and C. A. Buckley, R. M. Blum, D. Zhou, L. Szymanski, D. E. Day and T. J. Bartness Metabolic signals, hormones and neuropeptides involved in control of energy balance reproductive success in hamsters. European Journal of Neuroscience 16:377-379, 2002.
Jennifer L. Temple, Jill E. Schneider, Deanna Scott, Alexander Koritz and Emilie F. Rissman . Acute Metabolic Fuel Blockade Suppresses Mating Behavior in Female Musk Shrews. American Journal of Physiology, 282:R782-R790, 2001.
Drazen, D.L., Kriegsfeld, L.J., Schneider, J.E. & Nelson, R.J. Photoperiod effects on leptin and immune function. American Journal of Physiology, 278:R1401-R1407 , 2000.
Schneider, J.E. Leptin and Related Peptides. Hormones and Behavior, 37:258-260, 2000.
Schneider, J.E., Zhou, D. and Blum, R.M. Leptin and metabolic control of reproduction. Hormones and Behavior, 37:306-326, 2000.
Schneider, J. E., R. M. Blum, and G. N. Wade, Metabolic control of food intake and estrous cycles in Syrian hamsters: I. Plasma insulin and leptin concentrations, American Journal of Physiology, 278:R476-R485, 2000.
Schneider, J. E. and D. Zhou. Interactive effects of intracerebral leptin treatment and peripheral metabolic inhibitors on estrous cyclicity. American Journal of Physiology, 277:R1020-R1024, 1999.
Schneider, J. E., M. D. Goldman, S. Tang, B. Bean, H. Ji and M. I. Friedman. Leptin indirectly affects estrous cycles by increasing metabolic fuel oxidation. Hormones and Behavior, 33:217-228, 1998.
Panicker, A. K., R. A. Mangels, J. B. Powers, G. N. Wade, and J.E. Schneider. Area postrema lesions block suppression of estrous behavior, but not estrous cyclicity, in food-deprived hamsters. American Journal of Physiology; 275:R158-R164, 1998.
Schneider, J. E. Effects of the fructose analog, 2,5-anhydro-d-mannitol, on food intake and estrous cycles Syrian hamsters. American Journal Physiology, 272:R935-R939, 1997.
Schneider, J. E., A. J. Hall, and G. N. Wade. Central versus peripheral metabolic control of estrous cycles in Syrian hamsters: I.Lipoprivation. American Journal of Physiology, 272:R400-R405, 1997.
Schneider, J.E., M. D. Goldman, N. A. Leo, and M. E. Rosen. Central versus peripheral metabolic control of estrous cycles in Syrian hamsters: II. Glucoprivation. American Journal of Physiology, 272:R406-R412, 1997.
Wade, G.N., J.E. Schneider, and H.-Y. Li. (INVITED REVIEW) Control of fertility by metabolic cues. American Journal of Physiology, 270:E1-E9, 1996.
Schneider, J.E., B.C. Finnerty, J.M. Swann, J.M. Gabriel. Glucoprivic treatments that induce anestrus, but do not affect food intake, increase FOS-like immunoreactivity in the area postrema and nucleus of the solitary tract in Syrian hamsters. Brain Research, 698:107-113, 1995.
Bhatia, A.J., J.E. Schneider, and G.N. Wade. Thermoregulatory and maternal nest building in Syrian hamsters: Interaction of ovarian steroids and energy demand. Physiology and Behavior, 58:141-146, 1995.
Schneider, J.E. and Y.Z. Zhu. Caudal brain stem plays a role in metabolic control of estrous cycles in Syrian hamsters. Brain Research, 661:70-74, 1994.
Schneider, J.E., D.G. Friedenson, A.J. Hall, and G.N. Wade. Glucoprivation induces anestrus while lipoprivation may induce hibernation in Syrian hamsters. American Journal of Physiology, 264:R573-R577, 1993.
Wade, G.N. and J.E. Schneider. Metabolic fuels and reproduction in female mammals. Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews, 16:235-272, 1992.
Schneider, J.E. Metabolic Sense. Hormones and Behavior, 26:1-6, 1992.
Wade, G.N., J.E. Schneider, and M.E. Friedman. Insulin-induced anestrus in Syrian hamsters. American Journal of Physiology, 260:R148-R152, 1991.
Schneider, J.E. and G.N. Wade. Effects of ambient temperature and body fat content on maternal litter reduction in Syrian hamsters. Physiology and Behavior 49:135-139, 1991.
Schneider, J.E. and G.N. Wade. Effects of diet and body fat content on cold-induced anestrus in Syrian hamsters. American Journal of Physiology, 259:R1198-R1204, 1990.
Schneider, J.E. and G.N. Wade. Decreased availability of metabolic fuels induces anestrus in Syrian hamsters. American Journal of Physiology, 258:R750-R755, 1990.
Schneider, J.E. and G.N. Wade. Effects of maternal diet, body weight and body composition on infanticide in Syrian hamsters. Physiology and Behavior, 46:815-821, 1989.
Schneider, J.E. and G.N. Wade. Body weight and reproduction. Science, 246:432, 1989 (letter).
Schneider, J.E. and G.N. Wade. Availability of metabolic fuels controls estrous cyclicity of Syrian hamsters. Science, 244:1326-1328, 1989.
Schneider, J.E., S.J. Lazzarini, M.I. Friedman and G.N. Wade. Role of fatty acid oxidation in food intake and hunger motivation in Syrian hamsters. Physiology and Behavior, 43:617-623, 1988.
Lazzarini, S.J., J.E. Schneider and G.N. Wade. Inhibition of fatty acid oxidation and glucose metabolism does not affect food intake or hunger motivation in Syrian hamsters. Physiology and Behavior, 44:209-215, 1988.
Schneider, J.E. and G.N. Wade. Body weight, food intake and brown fat thermogenesis in pregnant Djungarian hamsters. American Journal of Physiology, 253:R314-R320, 1987.
Schneider, J.E., J.M. Hamilton and G.N. Wade. Genetic association between nest building and brown adipose tissue thermogenesis in female house mice. Journal of Comparative and Physiological Psychology, 157:87-93, 1986.
Schneider, J.E., L. Palmer and G.N. Wade. Effects of estrous cycles and ovarian steroids on body weight and energy expenditure in Syrian hamsters. Physiology and Behavior, 38:119-126, 1986.
Schneider, J.E. and C.B. Lynch. An investigation of a common physiological mechanism underlying maternal and progesterone-induced nesting in mice, Mus musculus. Journal of Comparative and Physiological Psychology, 98:165-176, 1984.
Schneider, J.E., C.B. Lynch and C.L. Gundaker. The influence of exogenous progesterone on selected lines of mice divergent for maternal nesting. Behavior Genetics 13:247-256, 1983.
Schneider, J.E., C.B. Lynch, B. Possidente, and J.P. Hegmann. Genetic association between progesterone-induced and maternal nesting in mice. Physiology and Behavior, 29:97-105, 1982.
Batchelder, M., C.B. Lynch and J. Schneider. The effects of age and experience on strain differences for nesting behavior in Mus musculus. Behavior Genetics, 12:149-159, 1982.
Lynch, G.R., J. Bunin and J.E. Schneider. The effect of constant light and dark on the circadian nature of daily torpor in Peromyscus leucopus. Journal of Interdisciplinary Cycle Research, 11:55-93, 1980.
Nyby, J., C.J. Wysocki, G. Whitney, G. Dizinno and J. Schneider. Female elicitation of male mouse (Mus musculus) ultrasonic vocalizations. I. Urinary cues. Journal of Comparative and Physiological Psychology, 93:957-975, 1979.
Nyby, J., C.J. Wysocki, G. Whitney, G. Dizinno, J. Schneider and A. Nunez. Elicitation of male mouse (Mus musculus) ultrasonic vocalizations. II. Animal stimuli. Journal of Comparative and Physiological Psychology, 95:623-629, 1980.
Books Edited
Wallen, K. and J. E. Schneider, eds., Reproduction in Context , M.I.T. Press, Cambridge, Massachusetts, 2000 .
Book Chapters Authored
Schneider, J. E. and A. G. Watts, Energy balance, ingestive behavior and reproductive success, Chapter 7 in: Hormones, Brain and Behavior (Pfaff, D., Etgen, A., Fahrbach, S. E., and Rubin, R. T., eds.) Elsevier, San Diego , California , pp. 435-523, 2002.
Schneider, J. E. Introduction to the study of reproduction in context. Chapter 1 in: Reproduction in Context by Wallen, K. and Schneider, J.E., eds., M.I.T. Press, Cambridge, Massachusetts, PP. 1-11, 2000 .
Schneider, J. E. and G. N. Wade. Reproductive inhibition in service of energy balance, Chapter 3 in: Reproduction in Context by Wallen, K. and Schneider, J.E., eds., M.I.T. Press, Cambridge , Massachusetts , PP. 35-86, 2000 .
Special Issue of Journals Edited
Schneider, J. E. (Guest Editor) Special Issue of Hormones and Behavior on Leptin and Related Peptides. 37, Number 4, Academic Press, San Diego , California , June, 2000.
Published Abstracts of Conference Presentations
Laura Szymanski, Jill E. Schneider, Yohei Kurose, Mark I. Friedman, Hong Ji and Iain J. Clarke. Rapid restoration of luteinizing hormone pulses by refeeding undernourished ewes is preceded by alterations in plasma ketone bodies and insulin but not leptin or ghrelin. Society for Behavioral Neuroendocrinology, Lisbon, Portugal, July, 2004.
Buckley, C. A., Cundall, D., and Schneider, J.E. How Syrian hamsters fill their cheek pouches: Co-opted masticatory motor patterns and the role of the retractor muscle. Society for Comparative and Behavioral Endocrinology, 2004.
Laura A. Szymanski, J.E. Schneider, A. Rao and I.J. Clarke. RESTORATION OF LUTEINIZING HORMONE PULSES IN REFED CHRONICALLY UNDERNOURISHED EWES OCCURS WITHOUT ALTERATIONS IN PLASMA LEPTIN CONCENTRATIONS. Society for Neuroscience Annual Meeting, New Orleans , 2003.
Robert M. Blum, L.A. Szymanski, J.E. Schneider, M.I. Friedman, H. Ji and J.A. Swanson GLUCOSE, FRUCTOSE, AND CHOW DILUTED WITH CELLULOSE DO NOT RESTORE ESTROUS CYCLES AFTER FOOD DEPRIVATION IN LEAN SYRIAN HAMSTERS Society for Neuroscience Annual Meeting, New Orleans, 2003.
Robert M. Blum, Deanna K. Scott and Jill E. Schneider FOOD DEPRIVATION-INDUCED ANESTRUS DOES NOT REQUIRE ADRENAL SECRETIONS IN SYRIAN HAMSTERS. Society for Behavioral Neuroendocrinology, Cincinnati , Ohio , 2003.
Robert M. Blum, Deanna K. Scott and Jill E. Schneider Effects of Leptin on Metabolic Fuels and Estrous Cyclicity During Fasting. Society for Behavioral Neuroendocrinology, Scottsdale , Arizona , June, 2001 .
Laura A. Szymanski, Dan Zhou, and Jill E. Schneider Effects of Fourth Ventricle Glucose Utilization on Estrous Cyclicity in Syrian Hamsters Society for Behavioral Neuroendocrinology, Scottsdale, Arizona, June, 2001.
Carolyn A. Buckley and Jill E. Schneider Leptin Treatments That Decrease Food Intake Do Not Support a Conditioned Taste Aversion in Syrian Hamsters Society for Behavioral Neuroendocrinology, Scottsdale , Arizona , June, 2001.
C.A. Buckley; J.E. SchneiderLEPTIN PREVENTS THE EFFECTS OF FOOD DEPRIVATION ON HOARDING IN SYRIAN HAMSTERS. Society for Neuroscience Annual Meeting, San Diego , California , November 2001.
R.M. Blum; J. Swanson; J.E. Schneider DIETARY GENISTEIN DECREASES THE AGE AND WEIGHT OF PUBERTY AND FACILITATES SEX BEHAVIOR IN SYRIAN HAMSTERS Society for Neuroscience Annual Meeting, San Diego, California, November 2001.
Blum, R.M., Schneider, J.E. Fasting-induced anestrus is associated with low, while insulin-induced anestrus is associated with high plasma leptin concentrations. Society for Neurosciences Annual Meeting, New Orleans , Louisiana , November, 2000.
Schneider, J.E., Syre, P. and Alunni, C. Leptin interacts with metabolic fuel availability to control estrous cycles but not food intake in Syrian hamsters. Society for Neurosciences Annual Meeting, New Orleans , Louisiana , November, 2000.
Zhou, D. Blum, R.M., Schneider, J.E. An impaired hyperglycemic response to repeated glucoprivation is not a sufficient stimulus for anestrus. Society for Neurosciences Annual Meeting, New Orleans , Louisiana , November, 2000.
Owzar, K., Goldner, J., Blum, R. M., Little, P. Leptin concentrations increase after refeeding in adipose tissue but not in plasma. Society for Neurosciences Annual Meeting, New Orleans , Louisiana , November, 2000.
R. M. Blum, H. Ji, M. I. Friedman, P. Little, and J. E. Schneider. Estrous cyclicity can be dissociated from plasma leptin concentrations but not from circulating metabolic fuels. Society for Neurosciences Annual Meeting, Miami Beach , Florida , October, 1999.
D. Zhou and J. E. Schneider. Fourth ventricular leptin prevents fasting-induced anestrus in Syrian hamsters. Society for Neurosciences Annual Meeting, Miami Beach , Florida , October, 1999.
J. Schneider and D. Zhou. Treatment with SHU9119 increases food intake but does not induce anestrus in Syrian hamsters fed ad libitum. Society for Neurosciences Annual Meeting, Miami Beach , Florida , October, 1999.
J. Schneider, Primary metabolic sensory signals that control estrous cycles in Syrian hamsters. American Neuroendocrine Society, June, 1999.
D. Zhou and J. E. Schneider Leptin treatment restricted to the fourth cerebral ventricle prevents fasting-induced anestrus in Syrian hamsters. Society for Behavioral Neuroendocrinology, Charlottesville , Virginia , June, 1999.
Drazen, D., Kriegsfeld, L. J., Schneider, J.E., Nelson, R.J. Reproductive response to photoperiod affects immune function and leptin concentrations in Siberian hamsters. Society for Behavioral Neuroendocrinology, Charlottesville , Virginia , June, 1999
D. Zhou, J. E. Schneider, M.I. Friedman, H. Ji. Intracerebroventricular leptin treatment affects estrous cycles indirectly by increasing metabolic fuel oxidation. Society for Neurosciences Annual Meeting, Los Angeles , California , November, 1998.
J.E. Schneider, G.N. Wade and M.I. Friedman. Possible biological roles of leptin. Society for Behavioral Neuroendocrinology, Emory University , Atlanta , Georgia , June, 1998.
E. Keen, J. Faroun, K. Owzar, R. Blum, J. E. Schneider. Effects of leptin on neural activation in Syrian hamsters. Society for Behavioral Neuroendocrinology, Emory University , Atlanta , Georgia , June, 1998.
D. Zhou and J. E. Schneider. Whether applied to the brain or periphery, leptin acts indirectly via effects on fuel metabolism. Society for Behavioral Neuroendocrinology, Emory University , Atlanta , Georgia , June, 1998.
N. Black and J.E. Schneider. Decreased fatty acid oxidation synergizes with fasting to increase neural activation in the area postrema. Society for Behavioral Neuroendocrinology, Emory University , Atlanta , Georgia , June, 1998.
J. E. Schneider, M.D. Goldman, S. Tang, and B. Bean. Leptin metabolic fuels and reproduction in Syrian hamsters. Society for Neuroscience Annual Meeting, New Orleans , Louisiana , October, 1997.
B.C. Finnerty, D. Jacobs, M. Szajna, J.M. Swann, and J.E. Schneider. The combined use of immunocytochemistry and lesions in the study of neural pathways underlying metabolic control of reproduction. Society for Neuroscience Annual Meeting, Washington , D.C. , November, page 86, 1996.
B. C. Finnerty, M. D. Goldman, N. A. Leo, N. R. Davi, E. S. Barnett, Y. Zhu and J. E. Schneider. Effects of Metabolic Fuel Utilization on Neural Activation in the Central Nervous System and its Relation to Estrous Cycles and Caloric Homeostasis. Conference on Reproductive Behavior, Boston University , Boston , Massachusetts , June, 1995.
D. A. Marder, J. T. Raia and J. E. Schneider. Effects of Food Deprivation on Aggression and Sex Behavior in Female Syrian Hamsters. Conference on Reproductive Behavior, Boston University , Boston, Massachusetts , June, 1995.
B.C. Finnerty, Y. Zhu, and J.E. Schneider. Decreased glucose, but not fatty acid availability increases FOS-like immunoreactivity in the caudal brain stem of female Syrian hamsters. Society for Neuroscience Annual Meeting, Miami , Florida , November, 1994.
B.C. Finnerty, Y. Zhu, and J.E. Schneider. The effects of different metabolic challenges on FOS-like immunoreactivity in the caudal brain stem of Syrian hamsters. Conference on Reproductive Behavior, Lehigh University , Bethlehem , Pennsylvania , June, 1994.
M. D. Goldman, M. Rosen, Y. Zhu and J. E. Schneider. Central Metabolic Cues are Sufficient and Peripheral Neural Cues are Not Necessary For the Effects of Glucose Availability on Estrous Cycles and Neural Activation in the Area Postrema of Syrian Hamsters. Conference on Reproductive Behavior, Lehigh University , Bethlehem , Pennsylvania , June, 1994.
Schneider, J.E., Y. Zhu, J.M. Swann, and J.M. Gabriel. Glucose detectors in the caudal brain stem control estrous cycles in Syrian hamsters. Society for Neuroscience, Washington , D.C. , November, 1993.
Schneider, J.E. Metabolic sensory systems involved in female reproductive behavior and physiology. Conference on Reproductive Behavior, Michigan State University , East Lansing , Michigan , June, 1993.
Schneider, J.E., A.J. Hall, D.G. Friedenson, M.H. Brown and G.N. Wade. Signals generated in CNS glucose metabolism affect estrous cycles in Syrian hamsters. Society for Neurosciences, New Orleans, Louisiana , November, 1991.
Bhatia, A.J., J.E. Schneider and G.N. Wade. Effects of energy intake, demand, and partitioning on nestbuilding in Syrian hamsters. Society for Neurosciences, New Orleans , Louisiana , November, 1991
Schneider, J.E. and G.N. Wade. Insulin-induced anestrus in Syrian hamsters. Society for Neurosciences, St. Louis , Missouri , November, 1990.
Dickerman, R., J.E. Schneider, and G.N. Wade. Decreased availability of metabolic fuels or food deprivation attenuates the preovulatory LH surge in Syrian hamsters. Society for Neurosciences, St. Louis , Missouri , November, 1990.
Schneider, J.E. and G.N. Wade. Metabolic control of reproductive effort in Syrian hamsters. Twenty-second Conference on Reproductive Behavior, Emory University , Atlanta , Georgia , June, 1990.
Schneider, J.E. and G.N. Wade. Estradiol treatment reinstates sexual receptivity in hamsters made anovulatory by treatment with metabolic inhibitors. Society for the Study of Reproduction, Columbia , Missouri , August, 1989.
Schneider, J.E. and G.N. Wade. Metabolic control of sex and maternal behavior. Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology Summer Research Conference: Regulation of Energy Balance and Nutrient Partitioning, Saxtons River , Vermont , July, 1989.
Schneider, J.E. and G.N. Wade. Effects of body weight and food supply on maternal cannibalism in Syrian hamsters. Twenty-first Conference on Reproductive Behavior, Skidmore College , Saratoga Springs , New York, June, 1989.
Schneider, J.E. and G.N. Wade. Metabolic control of estrous cycles in Syrian hamsters. Society for Neurosciences, Toronto , Canada , November, 1988.
Schneider, J.E. and G.N. Wade. Metabolic signals mediating effects of starvation on reproduction in hamsters. Society for the Study of Reproduction, Seattle , Washington , August, 1988.
Schneider, J.E. and G.N. Wade. Common mechanisms mediating effects of starvation on reproduction in hamsters. Eighteenth Annual Steenbock Symposium on Biochemistry, Madison , Wisconsin , July, 1988.
Schneider, J.E. and G.N. Wade. Litter size and sex ratio in hamsters: influence of mothers' fatness and food supply. Society for the Study of Evolution and American Society of Naturalists, Asilomar, California , June, 1988.
Schneider, J.E. and G.N. Wade. Prior adiposity buffers the effects of starvation on estrous cycles and sex behavior in Syrian hamsters. Nineteenth Conference on Reproductive Behavior, Tlaxcala , Mexico , June, 1987.
Schneider, J.E. The effects of ovarian steroids on brown adipose tissue in cold-acclimated mice selectively bred for differences in nestbuilding. Behavior Genetics, 16:635, 1986.
Schneider, J.E., J.M. Hamilton and G.N. Wade. A possible genetic association between nestbuilding and brown adipose tissue thermogenesis in house mice. International Symposium on Living in the Cold, Fallen Leaf Lake , California , October, 1985.
Schneider, J.E. and J.M. Hamilton. Physiological aspects of thermoregulation in cold-acclimated mice from lines selected for nestbuilding. Behavior Genetics, 15:610, 1985.
Schneider, J.E., E. Haller, M. Stern, D. Block, and C.B. Lynch. The influence of exogenous progesterone on lines of mice divergent for maternal nesting. Behavior Genetics, 10:494-495, 1980.
Schneider, J.E., E. Haller, L.L. Demlow, and C.B. Lynch. Progesterone and maternal nesting in three inbred strains of mice. American Zoologist, 19:935, 1980.
Schneider, J.E., M. Batchelder, and C.B. Lynch. Developmental and experiential influences on nestbuilding in five strains of laboratory mice. Behavior Genetics, 8:565-566, 1978.
Ph.D. Candidate
Integrative Biology
Attilio Ceretti is trained in the study of sex differences in the stress response and has turned his interests to sex differences in the physiology of food intake, fat storage, and energy expenditure. Part of the answer can be found in how females invest more energy in reproduction compared to males. He found a sex difference in the mating response to internal energy status: Prior food deprivation decreases the chances that females (but not males) will mate (in Drosophila melanogaster derived from a wild-caught population). He is investigating how females monitor their internal energy status and the neuropeptides that mediate the effect on mating and food intake.
Wiersielis, K., Ceretti, A., Hall, A., Famularo, S.T., Salvatore, M., Ellis, A.S., Jang, H., Wimmer, M., & Bangasser, D. (2019). Sex differences in corticotropin releasing factor regulation of medial septum-mediated memory formation. Neurobiology of Stress, 10.
Lab Alumni
Current Position: Senior Supervisor, Brozek-Wright, Inc.
Current Position: Senior Scientist - Dept. of Biologics and Vaccine Analytics, Merck and Co, Inc.
Current Position: Associate Professor, Bloomsburg University
Current Position: Clinical Research Associate, IQVIA
Current Position: Instructiona Design and Coordinator, Lafayette College
Current Position: Professor of Biology, Lehigh Carbon Community College
Dan Zhou, Ph.D. '01
Current Position: Associate Principal Scientist, Merck and Co., Inc.
Erin Keen-Rhinehart, B.S., Lehigh '98; Ph.D. Univ. of Florida '03
Current Position: Associate Professor, Susquehanna University
Myla Goldman, B.A., Lehigh '94; M.D. Rush Medical College '99
Current Position: Professor of Neurology, Virginia Commonwealth University
Courses taught by Professor Schneider
Endocrinology of Behavior (Bios 382)
The study of how hormones control the nervous system and behavior. In this course, students explore the biology and environmental effects underlying male and female identity, sexual desires, monogamy, parental behavior, dominance and subordination, aggression, addiction, biological clocks, drugs such as Viagra and much more.
Endocrine Disruption Compounds (Bios 090)
Our hormones work day and night to bring our cells energy, maintain our strength, and keep our moods and appetites appropriate for the time of day and social context, but their work can be blocked or overexcited by chemicals from plastic water bottles, pesticides, herbicides, industrial effluent, and many other sources. These are known as endocrine disrupting chemicals or endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs). The effects of EDCs include but are not limited to infertility, obesity, and even sex reversal. In this largely student-driven course, we examine specific EDCs and their sources and mechanisms of action on the adult, fetus, and on future generations.
Advance Behavioral Neuroendocrinology (Bios 457)
A graduate core course on experimental methods, concepts and primary literature related to hormones, the brain and behavior.
Professional Skills for Graduate Students (Bios 401)
Foundation for a professional career in academic research in the biological sciences.
Neuroendocrinology of Ingestive Behavior (Bios 397)
What controls our food intake? A wide array of hypotheses center on a purported lipostat in the brain, an energostat in the liver and/or brain, or a gutstat in the stomach and intestines. Other hypotheses focus on neural plasticity (learning and memory), sex hormones, and environmental cues from food. In this seminar-style course, students present and debate these and other hypotheses, weigh the evidence, and develop a comprehensive view of this important topic relevant to obesity, eating disorders, and wellness.