Animal Reproduction and Health
Led by Professor Ronaldo Cerri, the Dairy Centre’s Animal Reproduction and Health Laboratory, aims to discover and develop solutions to fertility issues that affect dairy and beef cattle. His laboratory has focused on sustainable technologies to improve reproduction efficiency in cattle. The lab closely monitors a working herd of 250 lactating cows through biotechnology and activity monitors for detection of estrus and health disorders. Moreover, a key aim of this research group is to improve understanding the factors affecting the cross-communication between the uterus and the embryo.
The Reproduction and Health Lab makes use of the main, heifer, and intake barns as well as the on-site laboratory. In addition to the on-site barns, researchers work closely with local dairy farms, other scientists across Canada and internationally in the U.S., Brazil and Europe. The Reproduction and Health Lab covers a wide range of research topics including estrous cycle physiology, endocrine regulation, embryo development, gene expression, postpartum health, and improved genetic selection of fertility.
Researcher Profiles
Ronaldo Cerri
Professor, Applied Biology
With a PhD from the University of California, Davis, and two years of postdoctoral research at the University of Florida, Ronaldo joined UBC as an Assistant Professor in 2011. Now a Professor, his research uncovers the grounding science and develops industry solutions to the fertility challenges affecting dairy cattle. Partnering with Canadian and international colleagues, Ronaldo’s research interests include early embryonic and fetal development in dairy cows; the effects of animal health, management and behaviour on reproduction; and, developing sustainable technologies to improve reproduction efficiency. Ronaldo has been the president of the Dairy Cattle Reproduction Council, and the Canadian Society of Animal Science, as well as participating in the editorial boards of major peer-review journals, such as the Journal of Dairy Science.
