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Larry S. Katz

Larry S. Katz headshot.

Professor
Bartlett Hall, Room 205
848-932-3759
732-932-6996
lskatz@njaes.rutgers.edu

Curriculum Vitae (300k PDF)

Research

My lab long-studied the endocrine basis of sexual behavior in ruminants. Blending animal science, animal behavior and reproductive physiology was the underpinning of a novel field of investigation. We were particularly interested in understanding sexual motivation and performance in males and attractivity, proceptivity, and receptivity in females. Some recent studies have examined androgen-dependent olfactory signals emitted by males that females use to choose among the males. We also examined the self-stimulatory effects of male urine-marking on reproductive physiology and behavior in goats. Most recently, we have shifted our focus to better understanding student attitudes towards animals.

Some of my significant contributions to the field of domestic animal behavioral endocrinology include:

  • characterization of physical and social factors that influence tests designed for quantifying sexual performance or sex drive in domestic ruminants
  • standardization of sexual performance tests in domestic ruminants
  • demonstration of the importance of early rearing and sexual experiences on adult sexual performance in domestic ruminants
  • demonstration of the existence of an olfactory cue that stimulates enhanced sexual performance in male sheep
  • demonstration of a role for the vomeronasal organ in neonatal offspring recognition in sheep
  • demonstration of the importance of testosterone and not sexual experience in the development of a preference for females in male goats
  • demonstration that female goats prefer males and/or male odor; and this preference depends upon high serum concentrations of testosterone in the males
  • characterizing the endocrine signals that drive urine self-marking behavior expressed by male goats

Specific Projects

We are currently exploring college student attitudes towards animals. This research is directed at developing animal-assisted therapies that may serve to reduce stress in this population.

Experience

Title Location Year
Professor Dept. of Animal Sciences, Rutgers University 2009 - present
Senior Associate Director NJ Agricultural Experiment Station, Rutgers University 2009 - 2018
Director, Cooperative Extension NJ Agricultural Experiment Station, Rutgers University 2008 - 2018
Department Chair Dept. of Animal Sciences, Rutgers University 2002 - 2008
Acting Department Chair Dept. of Animal Sciences, Rutgers University 2001 - 2002
Associate Professor Dept. of Animal Sciences, Rutgers University 1995
Assistant Professor Dept. of Animal Sciences, Rutgers University 1989
Research Physiologist University of California at Berkeley
 1987
Post-Graduate Researcher VI University of California at Davis 1985

Education

Degree Location Year
NIH Post-Doctoral Training Fellowship Colorado State University, Fort Collins 1984
Ph.D. Animal Behavior, University of California at Davis 1984
M.S. Reproductive Physiology, Cornell University 1979
B.S. Animal Science, Cornell University 1976

Publications

  1. Fritz, Jr., W.F., Becker, S.E., and L.S. Katz. In preparation. Domesticated male goats (Capra hircus) use self-enurination to present attractive olfactory cues to estrous females.
  2. Fritz, Jr., W.F., Sena, L.S., Becker, S.E., and L.S. Katz. 2019. Differential effects of androgens, estrogens and socio-sexual context on sexual behaviors in the castrated male goat (Capra hircus). Hormones and Behavior 109:10-17. doi:10.1016/j.yhbeh.2019.01.008
  3. Longpre K.M., Guterl, J.N., and L.S. Katz. 2016.  Proximity to females alters circulating testosterone concentrations and body weight in male goats. Small Ruminant Research 144:334-340. doi:10.1016/j.smallrumres.2016.10.014
  4. Longpre, K.M., Kinstlinger, N.S., Mead, E.A., Wang, Y., Thekkumthala, A.P., Carreno, K.A., Hot, A., Keefer, M., Tully, L., Katz, L.S., and Pietrzykowski, A.Z. 2014. Seasonal variation in urinary microRNA expression in male goats (Capra hircus) as assessed by next generation sequencing. General and Comparative Endocrinology 199:1-15. doi:10.1016/j.ygcen.2014.01.002
  5. Longpre K.M., Koepfinger, M.E. and L.S. Katz. 2011.  Female goats use courtship display as an honest indicator of male quality. Hormones and Behavior 60: 505-511. doi:10.1016/j.yhbeh.2011.07.019
  6. Haulenbeek, A.M. and L.S. Katz. 2011.  Female tail wagging enhances sexual performance in male goats. Hormones and Behavior 60:244-247. doi:10.1016/j.yhbeh.2011.05.008
  7. Longpre K.M. and L.S. Katz. 2011.  Estrous female goats use testosterone-dependent cues to assess mates. Hormones and Behavior 59: 98-104. doi:10.1016/j.yhbeh.2010.10.014
  8. Margiasso, M.E., Longpre, K.M. and L.S. Katz. 2010.  Partner Preference: Assessing the Role of the Female Goat. Physiology and Behavior 99:587-591. doi:10.1016/j.physbeh.2010.01.022
  9. Katz, L. S.  2008.  Variation in male sexual behavior. Animal Reproduction Science 105: 64-71. doi:10.1016/j.anireprosci.2007.11.019
  10. Imwalle, D.B., Lehrer, A.R., and L.S. Katz. 2007. Intravaginal impedance and sexual behavior of ovariectomized goats given estrogen alone or in combination with progesterone.  J. Animal Science 85: 1908-1913. doi:10.2527/jas.2007-0096
  11. Katz, L.S. 2007. Sexual behavior of domesticated ruminants. Hormones and Behavior 52: 56-63. doi:10.1016/j.yhbeh.2007.03.012
  12. Shearer, M.K. and L.S. Katz.  2006.  Female-female mounting among goats stimulates sexual performance in males. Hormones and Behavior 50:33-37. doi:10.1016/j.yhbeh.2006.01.001
  13. Imwalle, D.B. and L.S. Katz.  2004.  Development of sexual behavior over several serving capacity tests in male goats.  Applied Animal Behaviour Science 89:315-319. doi:10.1016/j.applanim.2004.07.003
  14. Imwalle, D.B. and L.S. Katz.  2004.  Divergent roles for estrogens and androgens in expression of female goat sexual behavior. Hormones and Behavior 46: 54-58. doi:10.1016/j.yhbeh.2004.01.008
  15. Savage, A.F., Maull J., Tian X.C., Taneja M., Katz L., Darre M., and Yang X. 2003.  Behavioral Observations of Adolescent Holstein Heifers Cloned from Adult Somatic Cells. Theriogenology 60 (6): 1097-1110. doi:10.1016/S0093-691X(03)00110-9
  16. Booth, K.K. and L.S. Katz. 2000.  The role of the vomeronasal organ in neonatal offspring recognition in sheep.  Biology of Reproduction 63:953-958. doi: 10.1095/​biolreprod63.3.953
  17. Becker, S.E. Enright, W.J., and L.S. Katz.  1999.  Active immunization against gonadotropin-releasing hormone in female white-tailed deer.  Zoo Biology 18:385-396. doi: 10.1002/(SICI)1098-2361(1999)18:5<385::AID-ZOO3>3.0.CO;2-3
  18. Billings, H.J. and L.S. Katz.  1999.  Facilitation of sexual behavior in French-Alpine goats treated with intravaginal progesterone releasing devices and estradiol in both the breeding and nonbreeding seasons.  J. Animal Science 77: 2073-2078. doi:10.1006/hbeh.1997.1356
  19. Billings, H.J. and L.S. Katz.  1999.  Male influence on proceptivity in ovariectomized French-Alpine goats (Capra hircus).  Applied Animal Behaviour Science 64:181-191. doi:10.1016/S0168-1591(99)00035-0
  20. Maina, D. and L.S. Katz.  1999.  Scent of a ewe: transmission of a social cue by conspecifics affects sexual performance in Ovis aries.  Biology of Reproduction 60: 1373-1377. doi:10.1095/​biolreprod60.6.1373
  21. Billings, H.J. and L.S. Katz.  1998.  Threshold dose of estradiol for inducing sexual receptivity in ovariectomized French-Alpine goats.  Applied Animal Behaviour Science 57:109-116. doi:10.1016/S0168-1591(97)00131-7
  22. Billings, H.J. and L.S. Katz.  1997.  Progesterone facilitation and inhibition of estradiol-induced sexual behavior in the female goat.   Hormones and Behavior 31:47-53. doi:10.1006/hbeh.1997.1356
  23. Maina, D. and L.S. Katz. 1997.  Exposure to a recently mated conspecific may enhance ram sexual performance. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 51:69-74.  doi:10.1016/S0168-1591(96)01092-1
  24. John-Alder, H.B., S. McMann, L.S. Katz, A. Gross and D.S. Green.  1996.  Social modulation of exercise endurance in a lizard (Sceloporus undulatus).  Physiological Zoology 69:547-567.
  25. Kaplan, D.H. and L.S. Katz.  1995.  Luteinizing hormone response to estradiol positive feedback is not an effective endocrine parameter to monitor photoresponsiveness in ovariectomized goats (Capra hircus).  Small Ruminant Research 18:239-244. doi.org/10.1016/0921-4488(95)00699-7
  26. Becker, S.E. and L.S. Katz. 1995.  Effect of a gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist on serum luteinizing hormone concentrations in female white-tailed deer.  Small Ruminant Research 18:145-150.
  27. Katz, L.S. 1995.  The liver participates in the luteotropic action of prolactin in rats.  Assisted Reproductive Technology / Andrology 7:157-161.
  28. Wohlt, J.E., M.E. Allyn, P.K. Zajac and L.S. Katz.  1994.  Cortisol increases in plasma of Holstein heifer calves from handling and method of electrical dehorning.  J. Dairy Science 77:3725-3729. doi:10.3168/jds.S0022-0302(94)77317-3
  29. Kaplan, D.H. and L.S. Katz.  1994.  Exposure to constant photoperiod alters serum prolactin concentrations and behavioral response to estradiol in the ovariectomized goat.  J. Animal Science 72:3088-3097. doi:10.2527/1994.72123088x
  30. Becker, S.E. and L.S. Katz.  1994.  Effects of exogenous prostaglandin-F2-α (PGF2- α) on pregnancy status in white-tailed deer.  Zoo Biology 13:315-323.
  31. Regisford, E.G.C. and L.S. Katz 1994.  Effects of bromocriptine treatment on the expression of sexual behavior in male sheep (Ovis aries).  J. Animal Science 72:591-597. doi:10.2527/1994.723591x
  32. Regisford, E.G.C. and L.S. Katz. 1993.  Effects of bromocriptine-induced hypoprolactinemia on gonadotropin secretion and testicular function in rams (Ovis aries) during two seasons.  J. Reproduction and Fertility 99:529-537. doi: 10.1530/jrf.0.0990529
  33. Schlechter, N.L., L.S. Katz, S.M. Russell and C.S. Nicoll 1993.  Physiological evaluation of the role of the liver as a mediator of the growth promoting action of somatotrophin.  Zoological Science 10:235-244.
  34. Katz, L.S. and C.S. Nicoll 1993.  Evidence for a role of the liver in mediating the luteotropic action of prolactin in rats.  Biology of Reproduction 48:512-514. doi:10.1095/biolreprod48.3.512
  35. Katz, L.S., and T.J. McDonald. 1992.  Sexual behavior of farm animals.  In:  Reproduction in Farm Animals:  Science, Application and Models.  Theriogenology 38:240-254. doi:10.1016/0093-691X(92)90233-H
  36. English, D.E., S.M. Russell, L.S. Katz and C.S. Nicoll.  1990.  Evidence for a role of the liver in the mammotrophic action of prolactin. Endocrinology 126:2252-2256. doi:10.1210/endo-126-5-2252
  37. Price, E.O., L.S. Katz, S.J.R. Wallach and J.J. Zenchak.  1988.  The relationship of male-male mounting to the sexual preferences of young rams.  Applied Animal Behaviour Science 21:347-355. doi:10.1016/0168-1591(88)90069-X
  38. Zenchak, J.J., L.S. Katz, E.O. Price and S.J.R. Wallach.  1988.  Sexual behavior of rams as influenced by the degree of restraining estrous ewes and by the additional presence of anestrous ewes.  J. Animal Science 66:2851-2855. doi:10.2527/jas1988.66112851x
  39. Katz, L.S., E.O. Price, S.J.R. Wallach and J.J. Zenchak.  1988.  Sexual performance of rams reared with or without females after weaning.  J. Animal Science 66:1166-1173.
  40. Griffen, S.C., S.M. Russell, L.S. Katz and C.S. Nicoll.  1987.  Insulin exerts metabolic and growth-promoting effects by a direct action on the liver in vivo: clarification of the functional significance of the portal vascular link between the beta cells of the pancreatic islets and the liver.  Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 84:7300-7304. doi:10.1073/pnas.84.20.7300
  41. Doherty, W.C., E.O. Price and L.S. Katz.  1987.  A note on activity monitoring as a supplement to estrus detection methods for dairy goats.  Applied Animal Behaviour Science 17:347-351. doi:10.1016/0168-1591(87)90157-2
  42. Dunn, G.C., E.O. Price and L.S. Katz.  1987.  Fostering calves by odor transfer.  Applied Animal Behaviour Science 17:33-39. doi:10.1016/0168-1591(87)90005-0
  43. Price, E.O., V.M. Smith and L.S. Katz.  1986.  Stimulus conditions influencing self-enurination, genital grooming and flehmen in male goats.  Applied Animal Behaviour Science 16:371-381. doi:10.1016/0168-1591(86)90009-2
  44. Katz, L.S. and E.O. Price.  1986.  The role of penile stimulation and ejaculatory experience on the development and maintenance of reproductive behavior in the bull (Bos taurus).  Developmental Psychobiology 19:197-209.  doi: 10.1002/dev.420190306
  45. Price, E.O., L.S. Katz, G.P. Moberg and S.J.R. Wallach. 1986. Inability to predict sexual and aggressive behaviors by plasma concentrations of testosterone and luteinizing hormone in Hereford bulls.  J. Animal Science 62:613-617. doi:10.1016/0093-691X(92)90233-H
  46. Price, E.O., V.M. Smith and L.S. Katz.  1984.  Sexual stimulation of male dairy goats.  Applied Animal Behaviour Science 13:83-92.
  47. Butler, W.R., L.S. Katz, J. Arriola, R.A. Milvae and R.H. Foote.  1983.  On the negative feedback regulation of gonadotropins in castrate and intact cattle with comparison of two FSH radioimmunoassays.  J. Animal Science 56:919-929. doi:10.2527/jas1983.564919x
  48. Dykeman, D.A., L.S. Katz and R.H. Foote.  1982.  Behavioral characteristics of beef steers administered estradiol, testosterone and dihydrotestosterone.  J. Animal Science 55:1303-1309.
  49. Katz, L.S., E.A.B. Oltenacu and R.H. Foote.  1980.  The behavioral responses in ovariectomized cattle to either estradiol, testosterone, androstenedione, or dihydrotestosterone.  Hormones and Behavior 14:224-235. doi:10.1016/0018-506X(80)90031-8
  50. Heckman, G.S., L.S. Katz, R.H. Foote, E.A.B. Oltenacu, N.R. Scott and R.A. Marshall.  1978.  Estrous cycle patterns in cattle monitored by electrical resistance and milk progesterone.  J. Dairy Science 62:64-68. doi:10.3168/jds.S0022-0302(79)83203-8