Animal Reproductive Science

Reproductive
Physiology
Laboratory

Advancing fertility research in farm animals through innovative work in sperm transcriptomics, proteomics, cryopreservation, and spermatogonial stem cell biology.

Reproductive Physiology Laboratory
Laboratory — researchers at work
State-of-the-Art Research Facility

About the Laboratory

The Reproductive Physiology Laboratory focuses on improving fertility in farm animals through novel research areas including profiling of sperm transcripts for predicting male fertility, sperm sexing by proteomic approaches, molecular markers for semen quality assessment, and spermatogonial stem cell research.

The laboratory hosts scholars from leading institutions across India and welcomes international researchers through the DBT-TWAS fellowship programme.

4+
Partner Universities
6
Active Projects
14+
Instruments
Ongoing Scholars
Core Research

Novel Focus Areas

🧬

Sperm Transcript Profiling

Identifying and characterising sperm transcripts to develop predictive and screening tools for diagnosing male fertility in farm animals.

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Sperm Sexing via Proteomics

Employing advanced proteomic and genomic approaches to selectively isolate sex-specific spermatozoa in bovine for precision livestock breeding.

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Molecular Semen Quality Markers

Developing molecular biomarkers for comprehensive assessment of semen quality and cryo-susceptibility to enhance cryopreservation outcomes.

🌱

Spermatogonial Stem Cell Research

Characterising, purifying, and culturing SSCs in vitro alongside cryopreservation and ECM standardisation for long-term stemness maintenance.

❄️

Semen Cryopreservation

Advancing protocols for semen freezing and thawing to maximise post-thaw viability and fertility, with a focus on buffalo and bovine species.

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Immuno-Modulatory Signatures

Investigating immuno-modulatory molecular signatures in relation to semen fertility to uncover novel pathways influencing reproductive success.

Infrastructure

State-of-the-Art Facilities

The laboratory is equipped with modern instrumentation for advanced semen evaluation, sperm transcriptomics, proteomics, and cryopreservation studies.

CASA System Controlled Rate Bio-Freezer Phase Contrast Microscope Fluorescent Microscope Real-time PCR 2D Gel Electrophoresis Chemi-Documentation System Cryotome Histotome Cell Culture Incubator Viscometer Spectrophotometer Nucleic Acid Sonicator BIOBASE Laminar Flow
Laboratory researchers and equipment
Advanced Evaluation · Omics-Ready · Fully Equipped
Funded Research

Ongoing Projects

ICAR · National Fellow

Development of buffalo bull fertility diagnostic chip based on sperm transcripts signature

DBT

Selective isolation of sex-specific spermatozoa in bovine using novel biomarkers identified through an integrated proteomic and genomic approach

AICRP

Nutritional and physiological interventions for enhancing reproductive performance in animals

Institute

Characterisation, purification and in vitro culture of spermatogonial stem cells

DBT · RA

Spermatogonial stem cell cryopreservation and standardisation of the ECM for stemness maintenance

DST · WOS-A

Immuno-modulatory molecular signatures in relation to semen fertility

Academic Engagement

Training & Outreach

4+ Partner Institutions

Scholars from IVRI-Bareilly, KVAFSU-Bidar, AAU-Assam, and Jain University-Bengaluru have completed Master and Doctoral research here.

🎓 FOCARS Training

Hosts professional attachment training for ICAR scientists under the FOCARS programme, building national research capacity.

🌐 DBT-TWAS Fellowship

Welcomes international scholars under the prestigious DBT-TWAS fellowship programme, fostering global scientific collaboration.