POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY OF MARCHE (UNIVPM); MARINE SCIENCE DEPARTMENT (DISMAR)

Research Group: Reproduction & Developmental Biology
Research Application: Fertility control, spawning control, broodstock management
Description of Research: The group is working towards improving understanding and knowledge of (a)gamete quality in teleosts, (b)reproductive endocrinology and physiology of fish, (c)development of new technologies for environmentally-friendly aquaculture, and (d)reproductive toxicology to monitor environmental risks. (a)In terms of gametes, the quality of eggs and sperm may be affected by chemical and physical factors (meteorological and oceanographical parameters such as temperature, pH, salinity, oxygen, carbon dioxide etc.), as well as by anthropogenic factors. The global changes in marine species may have dramatic effects on fecundity, fish biomass and biodiversity of the most economically relevant species. The quality of gametes can be evaluated by molecular, cellular and morphological tools. These results may be used as an early warning signal to avoid the collapse of resources and to improve their future management. (b)Research into the reproductive endocrinology and physiology of fish is directed towards improved knowledge for the selection of new species for aquaculture, including tropical fish for the aquarium trade and for the purposes of restocking endangered species into their natural habitat. (c)Development of new biotechnologies for environmentally-friendly aquaculture is concerned with natural products displaying immuno-modulatory activity, probiotics and prebiotics. Their properties are identified by biological tests, commercial feed additives developed, administration protocols optimised and fish welfare taken into account (improvement of stress tolerance, growth, food intake and health status). (d)One of the goals of reproductive toxicology research is to develop biomarkers to determine how contaminants alter the health of wild populations. In order to evaluate if remedial action reduces the toxic effects of exposure to mixtures of contaminants, a wide spectrum of reproductive aspects (endocrinology, immunity, genotoxicology) are studied using a genomic and proteomic approach on various marine fish models (Sparus aurata, Solea solea, Fundulus heteroclitus, Danio rerio).
Lead Researcher: Oliana Carnevali
Contact Details: Universita Politecnica delle Marche, Via Brecce Bianche, 60131 Ancona, Italy
Institute website: www.dismar.univpm.it