Research

Reproduction

Since the early 1970s, a core group of WCVM faculty members have collaborated with other colleagues at the University of Saskatchewan on reproductive biology-focused research studies and training. The U of S Reproductive Sciences and Medicine group includes scientists from the WCVM and the College of Medicine's Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, as well as faculty in the Colleges of Arts and Science and Engineering.

A major emphasis for the group's research has been food animals. WCVM scientists have taken lead roles in topics such as ovarian follicle development and the applied synchronization of follicle growth and ovulation in cattle and sheep. Embryo transfer and cryopreservation of female gametes (eggs) in cattle have also been investigated at the College.

On the male side of farm animal reproduction, extensive work has been done in the assessment of male fertility in cattle, the cryopreservation of spermatozoa, the evaluation of breeding soundness in bulls, transgenics and testicular grafts. WCVM-based scientists have also studied reproduction in various species including horses, muskoxen, bison, deer, elk and zoo species as well as laboratory animals, gophers and mink.

WCVM researchers have also played integral roles in clinical research for human medicine. Collaborative teams from the U of S have been nationally and internationally recognized for their work on ovarian follicular development in women, improving the efficacy of modern contraceptive treatments and understanding the molecular aspects of ovarian function.

In addition, the College is now home base for the Canadian Animal and Poultry Genetic Resources Initiative - a partnership between the WCVM, the U of S and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. The research and gene bank for cattle, pigs, poultry and other livestock is based in the Westgen Research Suite - the second-floor laboratory of the College's new research wing that's currently dedicated to reproductive research.

• Adams, Gregg
  Basic and applied aspects of reproductive science and medicine. Dr. Adams' current projects include the characterization of reproductive events in wapiti and white-tailed deer, ovulation-inducing factors in llamas and alpacas, factors influencing oocyte competence in cattle, and synchrotron-based biomedical imaging of reproductive tissues.
• Barth, Albert
  Bull fertility - including sperm morphology, pathogenesis of abnormal spermatogenesis, testis degeneration, vesicular gland infections, factors affecting pubertal development, serving capacity and seasonality.
• Card, Claire
  The use of computer-assisted ultrasound image analysis, low dose insemination, semen cryopreservation, fertility of frozen semen, and breeding-induced inflammation in the mare. 
• Honaramooz, Ali
  Reproductive biology and technology, with emphasis on the study and manipulation of spermatogenesis and spermatogonial stem cells.
• MacPhee, Daniel
  Placental Development and Uterine Function during Pregnancy
• Manning, Stephen
  Equine acupuncture, advanced reproductive techniques, and subfertility/infertility in mares and stallions.
• Mapletoft, Reuben
  Dr. Mapletoft has a very active research and graduate student training program, paying particular attention to the control of ovarian function, superovulation,
• Palmer, Colin
  Semen collection and breeding soundness evaluation in the bull and postpartum metritis in the cow.
• Rawlings, Norman
  Basic and applied aspects of the regulation of ovarian folliculogenesis in sheep, and reproductive maturation in beef cattle.
• Singh, Jaswant
  The use and further development of the bovine model for the study of ovarian function in humans. Dr. Singh's current and past research has been directed towards studying the ultrasonographic, morphologic and biochemical kinetics of ovarian follicles to refine the bovine model.
• Unniappan, Suraj
• Woodbury, Murray
  Basic and applied research into the determinants of disease and health in specialized livestock including bison, deer and elk.