Research fields

Reproductive biotechnologies to improve the efficiency of artificial insemination in equines

This research branch studies brood mares and stallions to achieve better artificial insemination rates. In 2020, the Equine Ovud Unit obtained authorisation to be a fertility clinic and centre for the delivery of seminal material. For this, the research focuses on horses and equine reproduction. Research into brood mares includes endometrium functionality and the development of adequate therapeutic procedures for the treatment of uterine pathologies. In stallions, there is research into the development ways to evaluate and produce fresh or frozen seminal material to optimise the production of insemination doses. The meeting point of this research is represented by the fertility of brood mares and stallions.

Evaluation and preservation of gametes, supervision of reproductive performances, assisted canine and feline reproduction

MAPS research on cats and dogs focuses on the following:

• Study of methodologies for sperm analysis and improvement of canine and feline semen freezing procedures
• Identification of ovulation time in dog species and comparison of new methodologies of progesterone analysis
• Ultrasound and hormonal monitoring to estimate birth date
• Hormonal supervision of reproductive cycle in female dogs and cats
• Reversible chemical castration in dogs and cats
• Prostatic pathologies in dogs
• Pregnancy endocrinology
• Role of microbiome in dog fertility

The research focuses on the management of reproduction for animals in captivity and on surgical control of reproduction in exotic animals.