Working Group Cell Physiology & Reproduction

The research work of our group focuses on cellular communication and its significance for reproduction and development in cattle and pigs and the effects of different environmental conditions. On the one hand, we focus on mechanisms of female cycle control and factors that have an influence on embryonic development, implantation, pregnancy progression and vitality of the offspring. On the other hand, we are interested in factors of early muscle development and differentiation, as well as muscular plasticity as the basis for functional and/or structural adaptation of skeletal muscle to internal and external stimuli.

Crucial to these studies is the collection of defined biological substrates (e.g. blood, follicular fluid, germ cells, embryos, reproductive tract tissue and skeletal muscle) at specific stages of development, cycle and gestation and under different environmental and husbandry conditions. We also focus on the development and optimization of animal welfare and 3R-compliant cell and tissue culture models.

The samples obtained from cell culture models or with minimally invasive and non-invasive techniques and surgical methods are analyzed using physiological, biochemical and molecular biological methods in order to establish basic principles of animal welfare.