I am a Postdoctoral Research Fellow in the laboratory of Dr. Suzanne King at the Douglas Hospital Research Center, Schizophrenia and Neurodevelopmental Disorders Research, McGill University in the Department of Psychiatry. The goal of my research in Dr. King’s laboratory is to increase our understanding of the impact of prenatal stress on normal sexual differentiation, including psychopathological symptoms that are differentially expressed between the sexes and associated brain structures.
My background is in behavioral neuroendocrinology and I am interested in how steroid hormones affect brain and behavior throughout the lifespan. I completed my graduate studies under the supervision of Dr. James G. Pfaus at Concordia University in the Center for Studies in Behavioral Neurobiology (CSBN). My work examined the roles of estradiol and testosterone on the reinstatement of sexual behaviors in female rats under states of sexual inhibition induced by reduced ovarian function with aging, by removal of the ovaries, or by altering the prenatal hormone environment. I completed my PhD in 2015, where I systematically studied a phenomenon whereby the chronic, repeated administration of estradiol results in enhanced expression of sexual behaviors in the ovariectomized rat. I found that not only does estradiol enhance the expression of those behaviors, it also sensitizes their termination (i.e., inhibition). Moreover, I report that sexual inhibition induced by altering the prenatal hormone milieu can be counteracted by repeated estradiol administration in combination with sexual experience. Those data suggest that behavioral disruptions induced by altering the prenatal hormone environment can be recovered by appropriate hormone treatments and experience.
Contact Information:
Schizophrenia and Neurodevelopmental Disorders Research
Douglas Institute Research Centre
McGill University, Dept. of Psychiatry
Perry Pavilion, 3rd. Floor
6875 LaSalle Blvd.
Verdun (Montréal), QC
H4H 1R3 CANADA
Telephone: (514) 761-6131 ext. 3443
E-mail: sherri.jones112 [at] gmail.com
Publications
Refereed Manuscripts
Jones, S.L., Ismail, N., Pfaus, J.G. (2017). Facilitation of sexual behavior in ovariectomized rats by estradiol and testosterone: A preclinical model of androgen effects on female sexual desire. Psychoneuroendocrinology. 79:122-133
Duchesne, A., Liu, A., Jones, S. L., Laplante, D. P., & King, S. (2017). Childhood body mass index at 5.5 years mediates the effect of prenatal maternal stress on daughters’ age at menarche: Project Ice Storm - ERRATUM. Journal of Developmental Origins of Health and Disease, 8(3):382.
Duchesne, A., Liu, A., Jones, S.L., Laplante, D.P., King, S. (2017). Childhood body mass index at 5.5 years mediates the effect of prenatal maternal stress on daughters' age at menarche: Project Ice Storm. Journal of Developmental Origins of Health and Disease. 8(2), 168-177.
Jones, S.L., Antonie, R.A., Pfaus, J.G. (2015). The inhibitory effects of corncob bedding on sexual behavior in the ovariectomized Long-Evans rat treated with estradiol benzoate is overcome by male cues. Hormones and Behavior, 72: 39-48.
*Audioslides: http://audioslides.elsevier.com//ViewerSmall.aspx?source=1&doi=10.1016/j...
Jones, S.L., Cordeaux, E.J., Germé, K., Pfaus, J.G. (2015). Behavioral defeminization induced by prenatal androgen treatment in rats is overcome by sexual experience in adulthood. Hormones and Behavior. 73: 104-115.
Jones, S.L., Farisello, L., Meyer-Heft, N., Pfaus, J.G. (2015). Repeated administration of estradiol promotes mechanisms of sexual excitation and inhibition: glutamate signaling in the ventromedial hypothalamus attenuates excitation. Behavioural Brain Research, 291: 118-129.
Jones, S.L., Gardner Gregory, J., Pfaus, J.G. (2015). RU486 facilitates or disrupts the sensitization of sexual behaviors by estradiol in the ovariectomized Long-Evans rat: Effect of timecourse. Hormones and Behavior. doi: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2015.07.015.
Jones, S.L., Germé, K., Graham, M.D., Roy, P., Gardner Gregory, J., Rosenbaum, S., Parada, M., Pfaus, J.G. (In Press) Vaginocervical stimulation attenuates the sensitization of sexual behaviors by estradiol benzoate in the ovariectomized rat. Hormones and Behavior
Jones, S.L., Pfaus, J.G. (2014). Sensitization of sexual behaviors in ovariectomized Long-Evans rats is induced by a subthreshold dose of estradiol benzoate and attenuated by repeated copulation. Hormones and Behavior, 66: 655-662.
*Audioslides http://audioslides.elsevier.com//ViewerSmall.aspx?source=1&doi=10.1016/j...
Jones, S.L., Farrell, S., Gardner Gregory, J., Pfaus, J.G. (2013). Sensitization of sexual behavior in ovariectomized rats by chronic estradiol treatment. Hormones and Behavior, 64(1): 8-18.
Jones, S.L., Ismail, N., King, L., Pfaus, J.G. (2012). The effects of chronic administration of testosterone propionate with or without estradiol on the sexual behavior and plasma steroid levels of aged female rats. Endocrinology, 153: 5928-5939. doi: 10.1210/en.2012-1578.
Paredes-Ramos, P., Jones, S.L., Pérez-Pouchoulen, M., Coria-Avila, G.A., Pfaus J.G. (2011). Progressive abdominal enlargement and limb weakness in aged hormonally treated female rats. Lab Animal, 40(1): 14-17.
Ismail, N., Jones, S.L., Graham, M.D., Sylvester, S., & Pfaus, J.G. (2011). Partner preference for strain of female in Long Evans male rats. Physiology and Behavior, 102(3-4):285-290. doi:10.1016/j. physbeh.2010.09.005.
Coria-Avila, G.A., Jones, S.L., Solomon, C.E., Gavrila, A.M., Jordan, G.J., Pfaus, J.G. (2005). Conditioned partner preference in female rats for strain of male. Physiology and Behavior, 88: 529-537.
Book Chapter
Pfaus, J.G., Jones, S.L., Flanagan-Cato, L., Blaustein, J.D. (2014). Female sexual behavior. In Knobil and Neill’s Physiology of Reproduction. Plant, T.M., Zeleznik, A. (Eds.). 4th Ed. New York: Academic Press.
Published Abstracts and Poster Presentations
Jones, S.L., Anastassiadis, C., Near, J., Laplante, D.P., King, S., Pruessner, J. Studying sex differences with structural magnetic resonance imaging (sMRI): Status of a manual sMRI protocol of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis. Organization for the Study of Sex Differences. Montreal, QC, Canada.
McKee, K., Navarri, X., Elgbeili, G., Laplante, D.P., Jones, S.L., Devenyi, G.A., Chakravarty, M, King, S. (2017). Cerebellar volume mediates the association between prenatal maternal stress and motor performance in adolescent boys: Project Ice Storm. Organization for the Study of Sex Differences. Montreal, QC, Canada.
Jones, S.L., Anastassiadis, C., Near, J., Laplante, D.P., King, S., Pruessner, J. (submitted, 2017). A manual structural magnetic resonance imaging segmentation protocol of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis. Abstract submitted to the Douglas Hospital Research Day, Montreal, Quebec.
Jones, S.L., Anastassiadis, C., Near, J., Laplante, D.P., King, S., Pruessner, J. (2017). Status of a manual structural magnetic resonance imaging segmentation protocol of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis. Poster presentation at the Canadian Association for Neuroscience, Montreal, Quebec, May 28-31, 2017. * Selected as a late-breaking abstract.
Jones, S.L., Anastassiadis, C., Near, J., Laplante, D.P., King, S., Pruessner, J. (2017). Studying sex differences with structural magnetic resonance imaging (sMRI): Status of a manual sMRI protocol of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis. Abstract submitted for poster presentation at the Organization for the Study of Sex Differences, Montreal, Quebec. May 2017.
McKee, K., Navarri, X., Elgbeili, G., Laplante, D.P., Devenyi, G.A., Chakravarty, M.M., Jones, S.L., King, S. (2017). Cerebellar volume mediates the association between prenatal maternal stress and motor performance in adolescent boys: Project Ice Storm. Poster presented at the annual meeting of the Canadian National Perinatal Research Meeting, Montebello, Quebec, February 14-17, 2017.
Jones, S.L., Ismail, N., Pfaus, J.G. (2016). Facilitation of sexual behavior in ovariectomized rats by estradiol and testosterone: A preclinical model of androgen effects on female sexual desire. Society for Behavioral Neuroendocrinology. Montreal, QC.
Navarri, X., McKee, K., Elgbeili, G., Laplante, D.P., Devenyi, G.A., Chakravarty, M.M., Jones, S.L., King, S. (2016). Cerebellar volume mediates the association between prenatal maternal stress and motor performance in adolescents: Project Ice Storm. Douglas Hospital Research Center’s Undergraduate Research Expo. Verdun, QC.
Duschesne, A., Jones, S.L., Liu, A., Laplante, D.P., King, S. (2016). Prenatal maternal stress accelerates menarche onset through increased in body mass index at 5½: Project Ice Storm. Society for Behavioral Neuroendocrinology. Montreal, QC.
Jones, S.L., Near, J., Mailly, K., Newbold-Fox, H., Laplante, D.P., King, S., Pruessner, J. (2016). Development of segmentation protocols using Magnetic Resonance Imaging to study the morphology of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis: Applications to Project Ice Storm. PERFORM Centre Research Conference: Bioimaging for Prevention and Health Research. Concordia University, Montreal, QC. ** Poster Award
Jones, S.L., Pruessner, J., Laplante, D.P., King, S. (2016). Neuroimaging the hypothalamus to explain associations between prenatal maternal stress and sexually dimorphic psychopathological symptoms: Project Ice Storm. Organization for the Study of Sex Differences. Philadelphia, PA.
Jones, S.L., Duschesne, A., Liu, A., Laplante, D.P., King, S. (2016). Prenatal maternal stress accelerates menarche onset through increased in body mass index at 5½: Project Ice Storm. Organization for the Study of Sex Differences. Philadelphia, PA.
King, S., Duchesne, A., Liu, A., Jones, S.L., Laplante, D.P. (2016). Earlier menarche onset is predicted by prenatal maternal stress-induced increases in body mass index: Project Ice Storm. Canadian National Perinatal Research Meeting (CNPRM). Banff, AB, Canada.
Jones, S.L., Mayer-Heft, N., Pfaus, J.G. (2014). Glutamate transmission in the ventromedial hypothalamus inhibits the sensitization of sexual behaviors by estradiol in the ovariectomized rat. Presented at the 2014 Center for Studies in Behavioral Neurobiology Workshop: Estradiol and Cognition, Concordia University, Montréal, QC, Canada.
Jones, S.L., Mayer-Heft, N., Pfaus, J.G. (2014). Glutamate transmission in the ventromedial hypothalamus inhibits the sensitization of sexual behaviors by estradiol in the ovariectomized rat. International Society of Psychoneuroendocrinology (ISPNE), Montréal, Québec, Canada.
Jones, S.L., Gardner Gregory, J., Pfaus, J.G. (2013). Effects of chronic RU486 on the sensitization of sexual behaviors by repeated estradiol benzoate in the ovariectomized Long-Evans rat. Society for Neuroscience, San Diego, CA.
Jones, S.L., Antonie, R.A., Pfaus, J.G. (2013). Sexual behaviors of ovariectomized rats are sensitized by repeated estradiol: effects of corncob bedding and housing with males. Society for Behavioral Neuroendocrinology, Atlanta, GA, USA.
Jones, S.L., Pfaus, J.G. (2013). Sexual behaviors in the ovariectomized rat are sensitized by chronic estradiol treatment and attenuated by vaginocervical stimulation. Canadian Association for Neuroscience, Toronto, Canada.
Jones, S.L., Pfaus, J.G. (2012). Sensitization of female sexual behavior by estradiol is potentiated by restricting copulation. Society for Neuroscience, New Orleans, LA.
Jones, S.L., Cordeaux, E.J., Pfaus, J.G. (2012). Prenatal testosterone disrupts genital development and sexual behavior in the female rat. Advancing Excellence in Gender, Sex and Health hosted by Canadian Institute of Health Research, Montreal, QC, CAN.
Jones, S.L., Roy, P., Gardner-Gregory, J., Germé, K., Rosenbaum, S., Fox, R., Parada, M., Graham, M.D., Pfaus, J.G. (2012). Vaginocervical stimulation in the OVX Long-Evans rat attenuates sensitization of sexual behaviors following repeated administration of estradiol benzoate alone. Society for Behavioral Neuroendocrinology, Madison, WI.
Rosenbaum, S., Jones, S.L., Gardner-Gregory, J., Pfaus, J.G. (2012). Blocking aromatization facilitates sexual behavior in ovariectomized rats treated with estradiol and testosterone. Society for Neuroscience. New Orleans, LA.
Cordeaux, E.J., Jones, S.L., Pfaus, J.G. (2011). Prenatal testosterone disrupts genital development and sexual behavior in the female rat. Society for Neuroscience, Washington, D.C.
Germé, K., Jones, S.L., Roy, P., Gardner Gregory, J., Pfaus, J.G. (2011). Differential pattern of brain activation by an olfactory cue associated with sexual excitation or inhibition in the male rat. Society for Neuroscience, Washington, D.C.
Jones, S.L., Farrell, S., Pfaus, J.G. (2011). Adrenalectomy does not prevent the sensitization of sexual behaviors to repeated estradiol benzoate in ovariectomized rats. Society for Neuroscience, Washington, D.C.
Germé, K., Jones, S.L., Graham, M.D., Ismail, N., Pfaus, J.G. (2011). Naloxone potentiates conditioned sexual inhibition in the male rat. Society for Behavioral Neuroendocrinology. Queretaro, Mexico.
Jones, S.L., Pfaus, J.G. (2011). Role of sensory stimulation by the male in the sensitization of female sexual behaviors by estradiol. Society for Behavioral Neuroendocrinology. Queretaro, Mexico.
Jones, S.L., Farell, S., Greggain-Mohr, J., Pfaus, J.G. (2010). Repeated estradiol sensitizes sexual behaviors of ovariectomized rats: Strain effects. Society for Neuroscience, San Diego, CA, USA.
Jones, S.L., Farell, S., Pfaus, J.G. (2010). Effect of dose and time interval on estradiol-induced female sexual behavior in the rat. Society for Behavioral Neuroendocrinology, Toronto, Ont, CA.
Jones, S.L., Bozzini, P., Pfaus, J.G. (2009). Morphine potentiates the development of a conditioned ejaculatory preference in rats. Society for Neuroscience, Chicago, Il, USA.
Jones, S.L., Pfaus, J.G. (2009). Effects of varying doses of testosterone propionate on sexual behavior and plasma estradiol and testosterone levels in aged intact female rats. Society for Behavioral Neuroendocrinology, East Lansing, Michigan.
Jones, S.L., Pfaus, J.G. (2008). Sexual behavior in ovariectomized Wistar rats following varied doses of testosterone with or without estrogen, and the effects of repeated exposure to testosterone. Society for Behavioral Neuroendocrinology. Groningen, Netherlands, July 2008.
Jones, S.L., Pfaus, J.G. (2008). Sexual behavior in ovariectomized Wistar rats following varied doses of testosterone with or without estrogen, and the effects of repeated exposure to testosterone. Canadian Association for Neuroscience. Montreal, Canada.
Ismail, N., Jones, S.L., Graham, M.D., Greggain, J., Lachapelle, I., Georgescu, M., Nakanishi, S., & Pfaus, J.G. (2007). Paced copulation, sexual arousal, and conditioned partner preference in the male rat. Society for Neuroscience, San Diego, CA, USA.
Ismail, N., Jones, S.L., Graham, M.D., Mohebbinia, L., Georgescu, M., & Pfaus, J.G. (2007). The effect of paced copulation and strain conditioning on the development of partner preference in male rats. Society for Behavioral Neuroendocrinology, Pacific Grove, CA, USA.
Jones, S.L.; Ismail, N., Pfaus, J.G. (2007). Effects of acute estradiol, with or without progesterone or testosterone, on the sexual behavior of acyclic, middle-aged female rats. Society for Neuroscience, San Diego, CA, USA, November 2007.
Jones, S.L.; Ismail, N., Pfaus, J.G. (2007). Effects of estradiol, testosterone, or their combination, on the sexual behavior of ovariectomized, sexually-experienced rats. International Academy of Sex Research, Vancouver, B.C., Canada, August 2007.
Jones, S.L., Pfaus, J.G. (2007). Sexual behavior in aged acyclic female rats. Canadian Association for Neuroscience, Toronto, Ont, Canada.
Jones, S.L., Pfaus, J.G. (2007). Sexual behavior in aged acyclic female rats. Society for Behavioral Neuroendocrinology, Asilomar, CA, USA.
Coria-Avila, G.A., Jones, S.L., Arzouni, D., McNulty, K.M., & Pfaus, J.G. (2004). Unconditioned and conditioned partner preference for strain of male in the female rat. Society for Behavioral Neuroendocrinology, Lisbon, Portugal.
Jones, S.L., Coria-Avila, G.A., Pfaus, J.G. (2003). Unconditioned partner and paternal preference of wistar female rats copulating in bi-pacing chambers with wistar and long-evans males. Concordia University, Montreal, Quebec, CA.
Coria-Avila, G.A., Jones, S., & Pfaus, J.G. (2003). Conditioned partner preference by strain in female rats. Society for Neuroscience, New Orleans, LA.