Reproduction

Description of the field

The subject of reproduction covers various aspects of fertility and procreation of domestic and wild animals, and includes several sub-topics, which we research and/or teach, such as andrology and gynecology (including infections and metabolic disorders), reproductive biotechnology (including control of reproduction and various methods of assisted reproduction such as artificial insemination and embryo techniques in vivo and in vitro), obstetrics, mammary diseases, reproductive endocrinology and toxicology.

In the Nordic countries, the husbandry of food-producing animals is characterized by high productivity, restrictive use of hormone preparations, good animal health combined with low antibiotic use and high animal welfare standards. This is an approach to animal food production that is increasingly in demand globally and is an important part of the Swedish food strategy and preparedness. In addition, there are increasing societal demands for more sustainable and resilient animal husbandry, both for the animals per se but also for the efficient use of natural resources where production is simultaneously profitable and eco-friendly. Animal reproduction is a fundamental part of this.

Additionally, there is an increasing interest and demand of research regarding the control of reproductive behaviours, prevention and management of fertility disorders and birth problems, and development of reproductive biotechnologies for pets and sport animals.

Reproductive biotechnology techniques and routines for an increasing number of animal species are becoming more relevant due to animal breeding becoming more international, and the need to safely disseminate genetic material in fresh or frozen form. The demand for these techniques is also increasing in conservation biology, in order to safeguard biodiversity.

Research and teaching in the field of reproduction is often based on comparative issues, comparisons between animal species, but also on animal models for current research questions in human reproduction, in a One Health perspective.

The subject of reproduction at SLU has a strong and long-standing international commitment to research and capacity development in low- and middle-income countries, often in collaboration with international organizations, and is approved as a host for residency programs for European specialists, diplomates, within the European College for Domestic Animal Reproduction.

Current research

Activities within the subject of reproduction connect well with Agenda2030 and SLU's vision "Sustainable life" and focus area "Sustainable development" through:

• a strong global research and education commitment
• the strive to make the reproduction of food-producing animals more efficient at the individual and population level is crucial for using natural resources as efficiently as possible and reducing the climate impact of profitable production
• the development of better methods for handling, freezing and storing gametes and embryos to preserve biodiversity
• our work at herd and laboratory level to reduce the need for antibiotics and limit the development of antibiotic resistance, as well as reduce the need for hormone treatments
• our studies on the impact of climate change and environmental pollution on animal and human fertility 

Research is conducted in about 40 different projects that are listed on the Department of Clinical Sciences' website. The questions in these projects range from herd level via clinical studies at the individual level, to in vitro studies and molecular biology, from guinea pigs to cattle and wild animals, and the projects are conducted in Sweden as well as in North America, Asia and Africa.

Related to SLU's and the faculty's writings on the focus area "One SLU - Our SLU", the subject area of ​​reproduction already has several positions, or the funding of positions, shared with stakeholders within and outside of SLU. In addition to their research and teaching, several employees contribute to clinical work at the SLU University Animal Hospital and the faculty's animal facilities.

There is also an increase in collaboration on a Nordic/Baltic basis within several of the sub-disciplines of the subject of reproduction. The shared infrastructure at KV-lab and at Lövsta Agricultural Research engages several of the researchers in the subject, and through the Centre for Reproductive Biology in Uppsala (CRU), there is a great deal of collaboration with Uppsala University and other higher education institutions in Sweden and in Europe. 

Reproduction centers

The Department of Clinical Sciences also operates reproduction centers for large animals as well as for dogs and cats.