Doctoral project Anna Lauciello, supervision Prof. Dr. Christine Aurich, Clinical Center for Animal Reproduction, and Dr. Igor Loncaric, Center for Pathobiology

The addition of antibiotics to semen extenders for artificial insemination is a widespread practice and required by European Union biosecurity regulations. Our project is aimed at investigating the effects antibiotics added to insemination doses on the composition and function of the genital microbiome in mares and development of antibiotic resistance. We hypothesize that antibiotics negatively AFFECT the microbiome of the genital tract of inseminated mares, increase the risk of mating-induced endometritis, and contribute to the spread of resistance. This project is part of the One Health Doctoral Program at Vetmeduni Vienna.

Dr. Lisa H. Wagner, Clinical Center for Animal Reproduction, and Dr. Kerstin Mair, Center for Pathobiology

Lisa H. Wagner and Kerstin Mair are working on artificial insemination (AI) with frozen semen in donkeys and develop new techniques for donkey AI until in developing countries. Research includes modulation of uterine immune functions by seminal plasma after AI to increase pregnancy rates. Funded by a Vetmeduni Vienna internal grant (Sustainable Development Goal 2 – Zero Hunger)

Dr. Svenja Claasen, Lisa Ahrens, Clinical Center for Animal Reproduction, and Dr. Sebastian Vetter-Lang, Center for Food Sciences; Doctoral project Lisa Ahrens, supervision Prof. Dr. Christine Aurich and Dr. Sebastian Vetter-Lang.

One of the main causes of the increase in antibiotic-resistant bacteria is the excessive and incorrect use of antibiotics in both humans and animals. This collaborative project critically examines the addition of antibiotics to semen diluents in dogs. The antibiotics enter the female dog's genital tract in diluted form, where they lead to the development of resistance. Almost 50% of the bacteria on the mucous membranes of the urogenital tract of dogs show genetically fixed resistance. These resistance genes can be transferred both to the environment and directly to humans.  The study analyzes the composition, diversity, and changes in the vaginal microbiome using culture-based (culturomics) and culture-independent methods (targeted amplicon sequencing). In the second part of the experiment, the effects of antibiotic treatment on the microbiome, fertility, and the development of resistance are investigated in this way.Funded by a Vetmeduni Vienna internal grant (Sustainable Development Goal 3 – Good Health and Well-being)

Doctoral project Lilli Bernardi, supervision Prof. Dr. Christine Aurich and Dr. Veronica Vigolo

This study is the first to analyze the potential of two artificial intelligence software programs for detecting and analyzing sperm from different species. Our hypothesis is that the AI algorithms developed with these software programs enable objective sperm evaluation, replacing manual counting and providing a valuable and cost-effective alternative to flow cytometry.

Principal Investigator Prof. Dr. Christine Aurich, scientific co-workers Dr. Franziska Pilger, Laura Kroschel, Lisa Wagner and Prof. Dr. Jörg Aurich; Graf Lehndorff Institute at Neustadt (Dosse), Germany, and Clinical Center for Animal Reproduction

The age at which young horses should enter training is still a point of controversy. Clinical and epidemiological data indicate that stimulation of the equine musculoskeletal systems at a young age supports physical health and longevity, whereas the mental maturity of two-year-old and three-year-old horses to undergo training and subsequently compete in racing and equestrian sports is a point of controversy. With the aim of obtaining science-based results for the adaptation of animal welfare regulations, the German Federal Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Regional Identity (BMELH) has initiated the Horsewatch project. In a consortium of various research institutions, the team at the Graf Lehndorff Institute is investigating the preparation of young warmblood stallions for licensing and the initial training of two- and three-year-old racehorses. Funded by the German Federal Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Regional Identity (BMELH) and supported by the Federal Office for Agriculture and Food (BLE)

Prof. Dr. Christine Aurich, Dr. Lisa H. Wagner; Clinical Center for Animal Reproduction, Prof. Dr. Jessika Cavalleri, Dr. Dagmar Trachsel, Clinical Center for Horses, Prof. Dr. Jean-Loup Rault, Center for Animal Nutrition and Animal Welfare Sciences.

A temperature threshold of 30°C has been frequently exceeded in Vienna in recent years, and even higher temperatures are expected in the future. To ensure the protection of Vienna´s traditional Fiaker carriage horses in high ambient temperatures, we investigate the stress response of carriage horses and, in a further phase, also of sport horses to extreme climatic conditions and how horses can best be “kept cool”. Funded by the City of Vienna (MA 60) and the Austrian Federal Ministry of Labor, Social Affairs, Health, Care, and Consumer Protection.

(Prof. Dr. Christine Aurich, Clinical Center for Animal Reproduction, and Prof. Dr. Emmeline Hill, University College Dublin, Ireland)

Horses often respond to new situations with an acute stress response, which enables them to successfully cope with critical situations. Identifying horses that are characterized by stronger stress responses would enable proactive management strategies during critical training phases, thereby reducing long-term stress effects. The behavior and thus also the stress response of horses are determined by genes that encode neurobiological substances released in the brain. The aim of the joint study by Christine Aurich and Emmeline Hill, funded by the Brandenburg State Stud Foundation, is to investigate the frequency of certain genotypes relevant to behavior in different horse populations. Funded by the Brandenburg State Stud Foundation, Neustadt (Dosse), Germany

Doctoral project Karolina Kotas, supervision Prof. Dr. Sabine Schäfer-Somi

A critical point prior in the cryopreservation of dog ejaculates is semen centrifugation. This results in a beneficial concentration of sperm but also causes a certain amount of sperm damage. We therefore test the hypothesis that semen centrifugation is not necessary in dogs, a species with very dense ejaculates.

Dr. Martim Kaps

The aim of Martim Kaps' project is to analyze melatonin concentration in ovarian follicles of mares. Furthermore, effects of melatonin on granulosa cells will be analyzed in vivo. Melatonin acts as an antioxidant in the follicle and prevents negative effects of reactive oxygen species on follicle development. Funded by an internal Vetmeduni Vienna Grant (Profillinien start up)

Prof. Dr. Christine Aurich and Dr. Veronica Vigolo

For endangered horse breeds it is advisable to establish semen banks as a gene reserve. Semen from draught horse breeds, like the traditional Austrian Noriker horse, however, is often unsuitable for cryopreservation. In our research project, we are optimizing the selection of stallions for semen cryopreservation of semen with state-of-the-art tests, including genotyping. Semen preparation is modified to produce insemination doses with a very high sperm concentration. The long-term goal is to establish a semen bank for conservation of Noriker horses. Funded by the Austrian Federal Ministry for Agriculture and Forestry, Climate and Environmental Protection, Regions and Water Management, Project Number 102083

Doctoral project Sünne Römer, supervision by Prof. Dr. Jörg Aurich

The onset of lactation is essential for survival of the neonate. In horses, the structure of the placenta prevents passive immunization of the fetus during pregnancy. In mares with insufficient or no milk production, lactation can be induced with dopamine antagonists but treatment does not induce colostrum production. In our study, udder development, endocrine pathways and mammary cytokine expression are compared between mares with spontaneous onset of lactation and mares with induced lactation.