Research Interests:
The reproductive lifespan of a woman commences with menarche and concludes with the onset of the menopause. Over this period of time, the process of follicular atresia results in an irrevocable loss of the number of oocytes and supporting granulosa cells in the human ovary. This process is responsible for the significant decline in the ovarian follicular complement over a woman’s lifetime until the menopause occurs. Thus, follicular atresia is the basis of ovarian aging and ultimately, ovarian failure.

Follicular atresia is not only responsible for the onset of menopause; it also contributes to the age-related decline of fertility in women. The molecular forces driving age-related follicular depletion in the human ovary, especially those that control the rate of depletion are incompletely understood. Investigations of molecular markers involved in follicular atresia could have significant clinical impact by shedding light on the events that influence the age-related decline in female fertility.

The objective of the BIRCWH project is to explore one facet of the molecular epidemiology of ovarian aging through an in depth study of telomeres in human granulosa cells derived from subjects undergoing in vitro fertilization. Telomeres are dynamic and complex structures at the tips of human chromosomes that are responsible for maintaining genomic stability and mediating cellular replication and aging. Damage to or shortening of telomeres has been implicated in cellular senescence, apoptosis in cells and age-related diseases. Telomere shortening may also play a role in follicular atresia and reproductive senescence. I have been working on methods of accurately measuring telomere tract lengths from human granulosa cells in detail. In addition to standard methods of average telomere length measurement, I have been refining a method to determine telomere length in individual chromosomes. Furthermore, I am combining telomere length data with markers of granulosa cell senescence and ultimately oxidative stress to better understand the threats to and sequelae of telomere damage. The ability to study telomere dynamics in human granulosa cells in such detail will hopefully generate useful data about susceptibility to reproductive senescence in women.

Recent Publications:
Butts S, Sammel M, Hummel A, Chittams J, Barnhart K. (2003). Recurrent Ectopic Pregnancy, Risk Factors and Clinical Features: A Case Control Study. Fertility & Sterility 80:1340-1344.

Patrizio, P., Butts, SF, Caplan, A. (2005). Ovarian Tissue Preservation and Future Fertility: Emerging Technologies and Ethical Considerations. Journal of the National Cancer Institute Monographs 32:107-110.

Torigian DA, Siegelman ES, Terhune KP, Butts SF, Blasco L, Shlansky-Goldberg RD. (2005). Case report: MR Imaging Findings of Uterine Necrosis Following Uterine Artery Embolization for Treatment of Uterine Leiomyomata. American Journal of Roentgenology 184: 555-559.

Butts S, Driscoll DA. (2006). Polycystic ovary syndrome: How best to manage. Consultant 46: 745-749.
Butts, S and Driscoll DA. (2006). Polycystic ovary syndrome: When to suspect. Consultant 46: 765-769.

Butts S, Driscoll DM. (2007). Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: When to Suspect. Consultant for Pediatricians 6: 98-106.

Butts S, Driscoll DM. (2007). Polycystic ovary syndrome: Update on pros and cons of treatment options. Consultant for Pediatricians 6:141-144.