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Maternal-paternal communication in cattle: understanding how male-induced environmental changes in the female reproductive tract influence reproductive success

Objective

Infertility is a worldwide problem affecting the cattle industry. After successful insemination, embryonic and foetal mortality take place in about 50% of the cases, with most of these losses occurring before implantation. Due to beef and dairy constituting 20.8% of the EU agricultural output, reproductive inefficiency translates into a tremendous social and bioeconomic impact. Although many factors can be involved in preimplantation loss, there is increasing evidence for the role of the maternal immune system and its regulation by seminal plasma (SP). Studies in rodents, humans and pigs have described beneficial effects of SP in improving embryo development and implantation. However, evidence for a role of SP in fertility in cattle, where removal of SP before artificial insemination is routine, is relatively weak. Thus, this project will use a model of heifers mated to vasectomised or intact bulls, to study the role of SP in paternal-maternal communication as it pertains to embryo development and immune modulation. To accomplish this task, a talented Fellow will join a leading laboratory in male reproductive physiology where she will build on her existing skills and acquire new multidisciplinary competencies. An ambitious, yet realistic, work plan has been designed based on the excellent background of the Fellow and the training she will receive, the expertise of the supervisor in male reproductive physiology, and the infrastructure within the host lab for conducting all the experiments with the most appropriate tools. This will ensure that the Fellow completes the scientific objectives of the proposal, communicate and disseminate the results to the scientific and general public, while acquiring a new set of skills that will have a dramatic impact in her career development. If the beneficial effects of SP on fertility is recapitulated in cattle, the associated increased production and efficiency could have a tremendous impact in the beef and dairy industries.

Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)

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Programme(s)

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Topic(s)

Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.

Funding Scheme

Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.

MSCA-IF-EF-ST - Standard EF

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Call for proposal

Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.

(opens in new window) H2020-MSCA-IF-2017

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Coordinator

UNIVERSITAT DE GIRONA
Net EU contribution

Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.

€ 170 121,60
Address
PLACA SANT DOMENEC 3
17004 GIRONA
Spain

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Region
Este Cataluña Girona
Activity type
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
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Total cost

The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.

€ 170 121,60
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