Research Interests

Dr. Thundathil’s research interests include understanding the regulation of male fertility through an interdisciplinary approach for improving the reproductive health of animals and humans; developing a comprehensive approach for the early-life prediction of fertility in bulls; and developing reproductive technologies for the genetic preservation of endangered wildlife species.

Courses Taught

Graduate Students

Selected publications

• L. Newton, J.P. Kastelic, B. Wong, F. van der Hoorn, J. Thundathil. Elevated testicular temperature modulates expression patterns of sperm proteins in Holstein bulls. Molecular Reproduction and Development 2009; 76:109–118.
• J.P. Kastelic, J. Thundathil. Breeding soundness evaluation and semen analysis for predicting bull fertility. Reproduction in Domestic Animals 2008; 43 (Suppl.2):368-373.
• L.C. Aurini, D.P. Whiteside, B.T. Elkin, J. Thundathil. Recovery and cryopreservation of epididymal sperm of plains bison (Bison bison bison) as a model for salvaging the genetics of wood bison (Bison bison athabascae). Reproduction in Domestic Animals 2008; doi: 10.1111/j.1439-0531.
• J. Thundathil, D. Whiteside, B. Shea, D. Ludbrook, B. Elkin, J. Nishi. Reproductive technologies in wood bison (Bison bison athabascae): Implications for preserving the genetic diversity. Theriogenology 2007; 68:93-99.
• J. Thundathil, M. Anzar, M.M. Buhr. Sodium potassium ATPase as a signaling molecule during bovine sperm capacitation. Biology of Reproduction 2006;75:308-317.
• J. Thundathil, F. Filion, L.C. Smith. Nuclear control of mitochondrial function in preimplantation mouse embryos. Molecular Reproduction and Development 2005;71:405-413.
• L.C. Smith, J. Thundathil, F. Fillion. The role of the mitochondrial genome in preimplantation development and assisted reproductive technologies. Reproduction, Fertility and Development 2005;17:15-22.

Grant support

Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada; Canada Foundation for Innovation; Agriculture and Food Council of Alberta; Alberta Livestock Industry Fund; Westgen, Milner, BC; L’Alliance Boviteq Inc, Saint-Hyacinthe, Québec; Margaret Gunn Endowment for Animal Research, University of Calgary.

Dr. Thundathil received his DVM (1990) and MVSc (1994) from the Kerala Agricultural University, India. He received his PhD in reproductive physiology from the University of Saskatchewan (2001) and completed special projects in reproductive physiology (Royal Veterinary College, Uppsala, Sweden; CIZ Genetics and Research, Cremona, Italy; Embryology Laboratory, Pontifical Catholic University, Santiago, Chile) through visiting fellowship programs. Dr. Thundathil received postdoctoral training in molecular regulation of sperm function (Animal and Poultry Science, University of Guelph; Royal Victoria Hospital, McGill University) and preimplantation embryo development (University of Montreal). Dr. Thundathil is a registered veterinarian in Alberta and his research program is focused on understanding the regulation of sperm function and sperm contributions to early embryo development using molecular, cellular and whole animal approaches. In addition, he has a special interest in preserving the genetics of endangered wildlife through reproductive technologies. He is one of the two team leaders of the Wood Bison Reproductive Research Group, Canada.