Research lines

Science in service of reproduction

Sperm DNA Fragmentation and Impact on Fertility

SSB and DSB, localization of damage in toroidal regions of chromatin, and consequences on fertilization and embryonic development. Comparison of detection methods (Comet, TUNEL, SCSA). Has demonstrated that sperm mitochondrial ROS compromise subsequent embryonic development.

Energy Metabolism and Sperm Metabolomics

Relationship between basal metabolic activity and fertilizing capacity. Mitochondrial bioenergetics in cryopreserved sperm. Metabolomic profiles of seminal plasma and spermatozoa as biomarkers of preservation resilience.

Ion Channels and Cell Signaling

Characterization of ion channels and pumps in spermatozoa (VDAC, SERCA) and their role in maintaining sperm quality during liquid preservation. Regulation of intracellular calcium and sperm physiology.

Cryopreservation and Semen Preservation

Effects of freeze/thaw on membranes, mitochondria and DNA integrity in various species (pig, bovine, equine, others). Liquid preservation at 17°C and factors modulating sperm quality during refrigerated storage. Predictive indicators of cryotolerance and fertility. Strategies to minimize preservation-associated damage.

Fertility Prediction and Motility Analysis

Modeling sperm motility landscapes through functional clustering and Bayesian inference. Development of predictive fertility tools based on sperm parameters.

miRNAs, Epigenetics and Comparative Reproductive Biology

Study of sperm miRNAs (e.g., miR-19a/b-3p) and their association with male infertility. Molecular mechanisms of spermatogenesis and sperm maturation.

Porcine In Vitro Fertilization

Development of integrated IVF systems in porcine: in vitro maturation (IVM) of oocytes, sperm preparation and capacitation, IVF and embryo culture to blastocyst stage. Study of embryonic developmental competence, effects of antioxidants during culture, cryopreservation of in vitro-produced porcine blastocysts, and embryo quality improvement.

Research Projects

Relevance of spermatic factors for embryonic development and reproductive performance (Spermfertilomic)

Project reference

PID2023-149853OB-I00

Call type

National

Funding entity

Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities - MCIU

Dates

01/09/2024 - 31/12/2027

Project IP

Marc Yeste

Awarded funding

305.000,00 €

Read the project description

Reproductive efficiency in livestock is central to the agri-food sector, yet conventional semen analysis fails to explain many cases of subfertility. Paternal factors — not only maternal ones — may underlie fertilisation failure and impaired embryo development. The general objective of Spermfertilomic is to determine the paternal contribution to embryo development in farm animals (pigs, cattle and horses), in order to improve reproductive performance, better identify which sires should be culled, and maximise the value of each seminal dose. Reducing the number of sires required also means fewer animals on farms, with the environmental benefit that follows. Specific objectives: • To investigate whether differences in sperm chromatin maturity relate to DNA condensation and integrity, chromatin organisation and epigenetic signatures, and how these affect in vitro fertilisation and embryo development. • To map the genes associated with toroid linker regions and establish the role they play during embryo development. • To improve methods for assessing sperm quality and predicting fertility, including in rustic and endangered breeds.

From youthful vigor to maternal wisdom: signaling pathways in oocyte aging (FRASP)

Project reference

101154736

Call type

International

Funding entity

MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowship — European Commission, DG Research and Innovation (RTD)

Dates

01/09/2024 - 31/08/2026

Project IP

Karolina Nowicka-Bauer i Marc Yeste

Awarded funding

181.152,96 €

Read the project description

In developed countries, modern lifestyle often leads women to postpone their decision on when to have children. By 2022, the average age at which women in Europe give birth to their first child had crossed 30. Unfortunately, delayed motherhood is associated with a decline in women's reproductive potential, which can manifest as difficulties with conception, miscarriages, or an increased risk of delivering a child with chromosomal abnormalities. This decline is primarily attributed to the fact that oocytes, the reproductive cells, gradually lose their quality and fertilization potential with age. The primary object of the FRASP (Female Reproductive Ageing – Signalling Pathways) Proposal is to gain insights into why oocytes lose their reproductive capacity as women age. This Proposal aims to comprehensively analyse the signalling pathways responsible for aging in oocytes and cumulus cells derived from mice. To achieve this, we will employ a range of high-throughput techniques comprising a multiOMICS approach. Signalling pathways will be investigated at the RNA, protein, and metabolite levels. Additionally, we will explore how these pathways influence the outcome of fertilisation. The major expected accomplishments are: • Preparation of multiOMICS platforms enabling the investigation of mechanisms regulating aging of oocytes. • A profound understanding of the intricate molecular mechanisms that occur during oocyte aging. • Selection of potential molecular targets involved in the regulation of embryo development from oocytes derived from reproductively-old females. • Selection of potential molecular targets for therapeutic interventions.

Mammalian Reproduction Biotechnology (SGR)

Project reference

2021SGR00900

Call type

Autonomous

Funding entity

AGAUR

Dates

01/01/2022 - 30/06/2025

Project IP

Marc Yeste

Awarded funding

40.000,00 €

Implication of mitochondrial function in spermatozoon longevity in species of productive interest and design of extenders for its conservation (Mitolife)

Project reference

PID2020-113320RB-I00

Call type

National

Funding entity

Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities - MCIU

Dates

01/09/2021 - 31/08/2025

Project IP

Marc Yeste i Juan Enrique Rodriguez

Awarded funding

260.150,00 €

Linking rare genetic male infertility to sperm toroid DNA linker

Project reference

PI21/01769

Call type

National

Funding entity

La Marató de TV3 Foundation

Dates

12/03/2021 - 11/03/2024

Project IP

Marc Yeste

Awarded funding

194.850,00 €

Maternal-paternal communication in cattle: understanding how male-induced environmental changes in the female reproductive tract influence reproductive success (M-P Communication)

Project reference

792212

Call type

International

Funding entity

MSCA Individual Fellowship — European Commission, DG Research and Innovation (RTD)

Dates

01/09/2018 - 31/08/2020

Project IP

Beatriz Fernández-Fuertes i Marc Yeste

Awarded funding

170.121,60 €

Improving reproductive performance of refrigerated and frozen/thawed semen of porcine and bovine through photostimulation use (Photo-Sperm)

Project reference

AGL2017-88329-R

Call type

National

Funding entity

Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness

Dates

01/01/2018 - 30/09/2021

Project IP

Marc Yeste

Awarded funding

238.975,00 €

Assessment of the effects of bacterial contamination and its control through antibiotics and antimicrobial peptides on in vitro capacitation of boar spermatozoa

Project reference

MPCUdG2016/017

Call type

UdG internal grant

Funding entity

University of Girona

Dates

01/01/2016 - 31/12/2018

Project IP

Elisabeth Pinart i Marc Yeste

Awarded funding

30.000,00 €

Evaluation of antimicrobial peptides as substitutes for antibiotics in boar semen cooling extenders

Project reference

AGL2013-47798-P

Call type

National

Funding entity

Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness

Dates

01/01/2014 - 31/12/2017

Project IP

Sergi Bonet, M. Dolores Briz i Elisabeth Pinart

Awarded funding

108.900,00 €