We study factors and mechanisms engaged in the proper course of reproductive processes.
Our research is dedicated to improve the knowledge about immune-endocrine, cellular and molecular regulations of uterine and ovarian functions during the estrous cycle and early pregnancy, mainly using the domestic pig model.
Factors and mechanisms engaged in embryo-maternal communication during the maternal recognition of pregnancy, conceptus implantation and placenta development are among our main scientific interests.
Early embryonic mortality, implantation failures and deficiencies in placenta development and function may result in decreased litter size or impaired offspring health. Our studies are dedicated to explain the causes of these disorders.
We are also studying the development of ovarian follicles and the quality of corpora lutea during physiological and disturbed reproductive processes.
An important aspect of our studies is to determine the effect of nutrition and various breeding procedures on the female reproductive success. We aim to identify markers of endometrial receptivity and placenta efficiency as potential indicators of maternal and fetal outcomes, which could have a practical application.
We are using both in vivo animal models and in vitro cell/tissue cultures to achieve our scientific goals. The use of cutting-edge molecular biology methods, microscopic techniques and functional analyses of living cells allow us to determine changes in mRNA and protein expression and the activity of intracellular signaling pathways.
Results of our studies may be helpful in elaborating new strategies to improve breeding performance of pigs, developing procedures to reduce prenatal mortality and to use livestock animals as models in biomedical research.
