Scientific questions

The aims of our research are to improve the fertility and efficiency of reproductive biotechnologies in humans and animals, to study the physiological and molecular mechanisms that determine the phenotypes of descendants (health, growth, fertility, etc. - in the context of the Developmental Origins of Health and Disease, i.e. DOHaD) and the search for predictive and non-invasive biomarkers of these phenotypes, some of which could complement the genetic selection strategies in animals. Work in the unit is based on research involving several animal models (rabbits, ruminants, rodents, horses) and multiple and complementary imaging approaches, which cover the microscopic scale to the whole animal. In vitro models are also being developed as alternatives to animal testing (primary cell cultures, organoids, embryoids). Our expertise and tools for animal and cellular experimentation are complemented by clinical studies conducted by hospital and veterinary practitioners. This work fits into the overall concept of "One health" where the health and viability of different systems (human, veterinary, agronomy) are closely linked.

Our work is organized around three main objectives:

• Objective 1: Develop fundamental knowledge on gene expression dynamics during the formation of gametes, early embryonic development and cell differentiation in our target species
• Objective 2: Determine the effects of environmental disturbances on developmental processes and how they affect the postnatal phenotype. Develop positive levers to correct and / or improve the phenotype.
•  Objective 3: Identify fertility biomarkers, develop treatments for infertility and improve reproductive biotechnologies

To carry out these objectives, the unit is organized into 5 research teams:

• Embryo and Pluripotency: Epigenetics and Environment (EPEE)
• Gonadal differentiation and its disturbances (DGP)
• Placenta - Environment and Programming of Phenotypes (PEPPS)
• Epigenetic Mechanisms: Construction - Prediction of Phenotypes (MECP2)
• Human Reproduction and Animal Models (RHuMA)