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Gamete and Embryo Biology

Institute of Animal Reproduction and Food Research of PAS > Research & Dissemination > Scientific Groups > Gamete and Embryo Biology

Embryo Biology Team

The main scientific profile of the Team is to conduct multidimentional study on:

  1. studying endocrine mechanisms controlling embryo-maternal communication during early pregnancy establishment in animals and human on the molecular, and cellular level,
  2. explaining endocrine reasons for the disturbance of development of oocytes and embryos in domestic animals and utilizing animal models for studying human infertility,
  3. explaining endocrine reasons for the early embryo mortality in domestic animals (utilizing cow as a model),
  4. implementation of the already functioning in vitro embryo culture to the farm; oocyte recovery by the ovum pick up method and embryo transfer in vivo.

Embryo Biology Team

Scientific interests of Semen Biology Team concern biochemistry and physiology of animal spermatozoa and practical aspects of fish reproduction. Biochemical research focuses on the isolation and characterization of proteins and peptides of seminal plasma and spermatozoa. Research on sperm physiology involves studies of sperm motility with the use computer-assisted sperm analysis (CASA) and analysis of sperm DNA damage using a comet assay. Applied research concerns the improvement of short and long-term storage of fish and bird semen, foundation (together with Team of Molecular Andrology) of the Fish Sperm Bank and estimation of egg quality of salmonid fish.

Molecular Andrology Team

Research activities of Molecular Andrology Team are concentrated on isolation, physicochemical and kinetic characterization of sperm and seminal plasma hydrolytic enzymes of fish and mammals. Investigations conducted at the Team concern genetic and environmental influence on the sperm quality parameters of teleost fish (rainbow trout, common carp, sander, Danube salmon) and sturgeons (Siberian sturgeon, starlet) as well as deer and European bison. An important direction of research is improving sperm cryopreservation methods of valuable and endangered animals. Researches in our Team lead to the improvement of effectiveness of rainbow trout and common carp sperm cryopreservation and practical application of this method in fish breeding. Cryopreservation methods of endangered animal species from the Red Book (European bison, Danube salmon) are under improvement.