Reproductive Biotechnology

Reproductive Biotechnology

Reproductive biotechnology encompasses a set of techniques aimed at improving reproduction. These include artificial insemination, in vitro fertilization, embryo transfer, cryopreservation of gametes and embryos, as well as cloning. These techniques are used to increase fertility rates, improve the quality of offspring, and preserve species. When applied to humans, this field is often referred to as assisted reproductive technology (ART), although the techniques are similar.

Assisted Reproductive Technology
One in six couples faces fertility issues, and the use of assisted reproductive technologies is rapidly increasing worldwide. Several teams within the RQR are working in this area to improve the success rates of in vitro fertilization (IVF) and promote child health.
The quality of germ cells (eggs and sperm) is a key factor in reproductive success. Greg FitzHarris’s team studies how oocytes acquire the ability to form viable embryos, a crucial step toward establishing a healthy pregnancy. Hugh J. Clarke’s team investigates whether it is possible to mature healthy oocytes in the lab, which could improve assisted reproduction techniques. Since current methods yield few high-quality oocytes, the team is exploring the use of 3D matrices to support their development in artificial environments. François Richard’s research aims to develop even more suitable culture conditions so that oocytes can reach their full developmental potential.

The first days of embryonic development are critical for long-term health, as this period is highly sensitive to environmental influences. Studies in both humans and animals have shown that certain disturbances—such as nutritional imbalances, stress, or exposure to environmental toxins—can disrupt embryonic development and trigger biological programming that increases the risk of disease.
Sophie Petropoulos’s team studies how the environment influences the programming of the placenta and the developing fetus. Jacquetta Trasler’s team focuses on how environmental factors and epigenetic changes contribute to congenital malformations. Lawrence C. Smith’s team investigates the impact of assisted reproduction technologies on embryonic development. Using animal models, they examine how techniques like cloning or the use of stem cells may alter epigenetic marks inherited from the parents and affect embryo health. Werner Giehl Glanzner seeks to better understand how specific epigenetic mechanisms influence the earliest stages of embryonic development, particularly in the context of assisted reproduction. These studies aim to increase the success of infertility treatments.

Fertility Preservation
Fertility preservation is a growing field aimed at maintaining reproductive potential in humans and animals, particularly through techniques such as cryopreservation of gametes, embryos, or reproductive tissues.
Pierre Leclerc’s team focuses on sperm cryopreservation, a key technique in artificial insemination. They study how freezing affects sperm quality and work on improving protocols to better preserve fertilizing capacity.
Makoto Nagano’s team investigates fertility preservation for young boys undergoing cancer treatments. They are developing approaches using spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs), which are present from birth and capable of producing sperm throughout life.

Reproductive Biotechnology in Domestic Animals
In domestic animals, reproductive biotechnologies are used to optimize reproduction, enhance herd genetics, and support species conservation. In animal production, these tools help boost reproductive performance, broaden the dissemination of elite genetics, and shorten generational intervals.
Artificial insemination expert Sylvain Riendeau works hands-on in animal production, applying reproductive biotechnology techniques in agricultural management and animal production technologies to improve herd fertility.
Guylaine Sauvé, professor at the Institut de technologie agroalimentaire du Québec, trains the next generation in reproduction techniques and fertility management, closely aligned with real-world agricultural needs.
Marc-André Sirard’s team works to identify markers of high-quality oocytes in both cows and humans, to improve IVF outcomes. Isabelle Gilbert studies male fertility in livestock, focusing on environmental impacts on sperm quality. Claude Robert investigates early embryonic development to refine assisted reproduction methods. His team also uses genomics to identify breeds with strong potential in fertility, meat quality, or cheese yield.
Anthony Estienne addresses fertility challenges in dairy cows, whose reproductive performance has declined due to selection focused mainly on milk production. His team explores lab-based oocyte production and, in the long term, in vitro tissue culture, to reduce herd sizes while maintaining effective embryo output.
Jocelyn Dubuc develops tools to help farmers improve reproduction. He is testing a new pregnancy test using Doppler ultrasound that can detect pregnancy as early as 20 days post-insemination and is also developing strategies to increase artificial insemination success rates.

Biotechnologies for Biomedical Research
Reproductive biotechnology is also an important tool in biomedical research. Karina Gutierrez uses gene editing to study the role of specific genes in embryonic development. Vilceu Bordignon’s team produces lab-grown embryos to create genetically modified pigs, which serve as models to better understand organ development, metabolic processes, and the origins of certain diseases.