Institute’s scientific team comprised solely by women – Dr. Izabela Wocławek – Potocka, Dr. Ilona Kowalczyk – Zięba, Dr. Dorota Boruszewska, Emilia Sinderewicz, MSc. was honoured with the Award of Division II: Biological and Agricultural Sciences PAS 2017 for a series of publications titled: „The role of lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) in the regulation of reproductive functions in cow and human”. The solemn awards ceremony was held on December 14, 2017 in the Staszic Palace in Warsaw.

The scientific achievement is related to the role of lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) in the regulation of reproductive functions in cows and women. In the first part of the study we focused on the establishment of LPA role in the cellular, receptor and molecular mechanisms controlling embryo-maternal interactions in the cow. The aim of the study was to determine LPA production and expression of its receptors in the ovary (corpus luteum and ovarian follicle) and oviduct, as well as to define whether LPA exerts effect on the above mentioned structures of the bovine reproductive tract. The next aspect of the study was to establish LPA influence on oocyte maturation and preimplantation embryo development in the cow. Furthermore, we aimed to define the potential role of LPA in the etiopathogenesis of endometrial cancer in women, since LPA signaling pathway is involved both in physiological and pathologic processes, especially in endometrial neoplastoma. Obtained results enriched current knowledge relevant to regulation of processes that occur during embryo development in the cow. Considering easy availability of the bovine organs and the similarity between reproductive physiology of cows and woman, the cow can serve as a good model to study the reproduction in other mammals, including human.

Congratulations!