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A cutting edge integrated approach to sperm biology and associated reproductive biotechnologies to assist the dairy and beef industries meet growing societal, environmental and economic demands

Project description

A boost for bull fertility for sustainable breeding

Bull fertility is crucial for the livestock industry, yet many elite sires struggle with inconsistent semen quality, leading to reduced artificial insemination success rates. This not only affects breeding efficiency but also impacts animal welfare and environmental sustainability. Current methods for semen selection and processing often fail to predict fertility outcomes, leaving farmers and breeders with unreliable results. Advancing reproductive technologies is essential to meet industry demands for high-quality, predictable breeding solutions. Supported by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the BullNet project will unravel the biological complexities of bull fertility. Using cutting-edge science, including machine learning, the project will develop optimised semen products and improve breeding strategies. It will also train researchers in fertility science and technology transfer.

Objective

BullNet, consisting of 8 beneficiaries and 13 associated partner organisations, will build a multi-disciplinary and inter-sectorial research programme designed to unravel the complex underlying biology of compromised fertility of individual bulls. Cutting-edge basic, applied and machine-learning approaches will be used to deliver a robust, flexible semen product from young, appropriately reared and managed, first-season elite sires that can be used successfully for artificial insemination (AI) with predictable and consistent fertility, so as to provide the industry with key tools to meet current emissions and animal welfare demands. BullNet will also lead to the advancement of knowledge in how bull management strategies and semen processing affect the functional and molecular characteristics of sperm, thus opening scientific horizons for new applications in the area of assisted reproduction. The overall aim of this programme is to train a new generation of creative, entrepreneurial and innovative doctoral candidates (DCs) in the area of bull fertility. BullNet will expose DCs to different sectors and they will acquire a comprehensive set of transferable skills working in the specific research area relating to their individual research projects, with an emphasis on the need for technology transfer from academic institutions to commercial users. Moreover, given the wide range of academic and industry organisations involved, the DCs will be able to face current and future challenges in order to convert knowledge and ideas into products and services for economic, technological and societal benefit.

Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)

Keywords

Programme(s)

Topic(s)

Funding Scheme

HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-DN - HORIZON TMA MSCA Doctoral Networks

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Call for proposal

(opens in new window) HORIZON-MSCA-2022-DN-01

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Coordinator

UNIVERSITY OF LIMERICK
Net EU contribution
€ 286 488,00
Address
NATIONAL TECHNOLOGICAL PARK, PLASSEY
- Limerick
Ireland
Region
Ireland Southern Mid-West
Activity type
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
Links
Total cost
No data

Participants (7)

Partners (15)