Description: Germinal vesicles (GVs) are alternative targets for female fertility preservation due to their availability and high resilience against non-physiological conditions. Dry-preservation strategies allow sample storage at non-freezing temperatures, offering a cost-effective alternative to cryopreservation. In this webinar, we provide the latest protocol involving GV oocyte collection, protectant loading, microwave drying, storage, and rehydration, in the domestic cat model. We hope to inspire more research to accelerate the development of an efficient preservation technique and encourage adaptations of the method to other species.
Speaker: Pei-Chih Lee, PhD
Pei-Chih Lee is a research biologist at the Center for Species Survival in Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute. Lee earned her bachelor’s degree in zoology and Master of Science in molecular medicine from National Taiwan University. She earned her doctorate in molecular biosciences from Northwestern University. She joined the Smithsonian in 2012, where she works on both basic and applied reproductive biology with focus on feline species. Her research seeks to develop and apply latest biotechnologies to reproductive studies and genome resource banking of rare and endangered species. Using the domestic cat model, she is developing a more economical preservation technique that allows gametes and other cells to be stored without the need of liquid nitrogen.
Speaker: Dr. Haiqi Chen, UT Southwestern Medical Center, USA
Title: Spatially resolved, functional dissection of the spermatogonial stem cell niche
Description: Spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) in the testis support the lifelong production of sperm. SSCs reside within specialized microenvironments called ‘‘niches,’’ which are essential for SSC self-renewal and differentiation. In this talk, I will discuss our recent efforts to combine spatial transcriptomics, computational analyses, and functional assays to systematically dissect the molecular, cellular, and spatial composition of SSC niches.
Speaker: Dr. Fei Zhao, University of Wisconsin-Madison, USA
Title: Cell fate decisions in sex duct development
Description: Alfred Jost’s work in the 1940s laid the foundation of the current paradigm of sexual differentiation of reproductive tracts. Using genetic animal models, ex vivo experiments, and single cell sequencing based technologies, we have gained significant insights into this process, challenging existing dogmas. The yielded knowledge will enable us to not only decipher the fundamental process of dimorphic establishment of reproductive tracts, but also provide insights into how defects and diseases originate from impaired fetal development.
Description:
This special topics SSR webinar will focus on the current state of genetic modifications in agriculture. Especially, how gene editing has been harnessed in reproductive biology to address health and productivity challenges in livestock, with a focus on the poultry, pork, and beef industries. Discussion will highlight both recent successes and outstanding hurdles. Topics will also be held the context of regulatory policies, social appetite, and food security.
Moderator:
Michela Ciccarelli, DVM, MS, PhD, Dipl. ACT
Assistant Professor
Comparative Theriogenology
Veterinary Clinical Sciences
College of Veterinary Medicine
Washington State University
Panelists:
Jon M. Oatley, PhD
Associate Dean for Research
Professor, School of Molecular Biosciences
Director, Functional Genomics Initiative
College of Veterinary Medicine
Washington State University
Mike McGrew, PhD
Personal Chair of Avian Reproductive Technologies (ART)
The Roslin Institute
Easter Bush Campus
University of Edinburgh
Mice are the most commonly used animal model for studying human disease. However, in the reproductive biology area, its use has always presented the problem of obtaining in vivo sperm samples. The technique described in this webinar allows the serial extraction of sperm samples, facilitating the use of the mouse as a research tool.
