Bull Fertility Research Network (BullNet)

Project

Project code: 1051784
Contract period: 01.03.2024 - 29.02.2028
Budget: 2,718,979 Euro
Purpose of research: Applied research
Keywords: bull fertility, artificial insemination, sperm quality, reproductive biology, sperm processing, machine learning, animal welfare, environmental sustainability, technology transfer, MSCA Doctoral Network, interdisciplinary education

It comprises a multi-disciplinary and inter-sectorial research program 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 understand the biological regulation of sperm function and testis biology in order to optimize fertility. This will ensure the delivery of a robust, flexible semen product from young, appropriately reared and managed, first-season elite sires that can be used successfully for artificial insemination 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.

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