Reproductive Physiology Group

We are a group of researchers focused on studying Reproductive Physiology within the Department of Animal Sciences at NDSU. You will find links to individual faculty sites and learn more about our ongoing projects, current students, and our research laboratories and facilities.

Faculty

Several faculty located within the Department of Animal Sciences have research programs focused on Reproductive Physiology. Below is a list of these faculty members with links to their departmental website where you can learn more about their research projects, publications, and find their contact information.

Erika Berg, Associate Professor, Equine Science; Program Director, Bison Strides Equine Assisted Activities and Therapies

Pawel Borowicz, Research Assistant Professor; Director, Advanced Imaging & Microscopy (AIM) Core Lab

Carl Dahlen, Associate Professor

Carrie Hammer, Professor; Associate Dean of College of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Natural Resources

Larry Reynolds, University Distinguished Professor; Director, NDSU Center for Nutrition and Pregnancy

Staff

The Reproductive Physiology Group has laboratory personnel who assist with project preparation, training students, maintaining labs and facilities, and performing experiments. Below is a list of personnel, their area of expertise, and contact information.

Equipment Calendar

Instructions for how to Use Outlook Calendar to check out equipment

Documents

Group members have access to experimental sample lists, protocols and other shared documents through Blackboard.

Labs and Facilities

lab equipment

Bioassay experiments are performed in Hultz Hall, Labs 109 and 119. We have a variety of equipment for performing bioassay experiments (ELISAs, hormone analyses, etc) including centrifuges, multichannel pipettes, and the Immulite 1000 (pictured below). We also have access to a plate reading spectrophotometer for high throughput colorimetric assays.

embryology lab equipment

Dr. Anna Grazul-Bilska, a member of the Reproductive Physiology Group, manages a technologically advanced Embryology Lab located in Hultz Hall 103a. Dr. Grazul-Bilska uses this lab for procedures related to her research focused on improving, optimizing and applying assisted reproduction techniques. This lab is also used for teaching and training purposes.

This lab has state of the art equipment required for in vitro fertilization, in vitro activation, as well as oocyte and embryo manipulation and culture.

embryology lab

Histology Lab

Histology work for the group is done in Hultz Hall, labs 119 and 119b. This is a full service Histology lab and includes areas for fixing, cassetting, automated tissue processing, embedding, and sectioning of paraffin embedded samples. There are also several areas available for colorimetric and fluorescent staining, including hydration and dehydration stations.

Equipment includes:
Leica ASP 300 Automated Processor

Histology lab

Leica EG1160 Embedding Center with heated forceps

Histology lab

Leica RM2255 Automated Rotary Microtome

Histology Lab

EMS Retriever 2100 Antigen Unmasking System

Histology Lab

DAKO Universal Staining System

Molecular Biology Lab

The Reproductive Physiology Group performs their molecular biology research in laboratory spaces located in Hultz Hall 110 and 119c. Located in this lab is equipment required for tissue homogenization, nucleic acid and protein purification, RNA quantification and integrity analysis, cDNA synthesis, PCR, and qPCR. Nuclease-free work spaces are maintained for molecular work in these labs.

Specific pieces of equipment located in the Molecular Biology lab are listed below and organized by required use:

General Equipment

Milli-Q Advantage A10 Ultrapure Water Purification System

Tissue Homogenization

Kinematica Polytron Homogenizer (large and small generators)

TissueLyser LT with 12 tube adapter

Nucleic Acid and Protein Purification

Two Eppendorf 5430 centrifuges (with rotors to accommodate 30 microcentrifuge tubes and 96 well plates)

Beckman Allegra 6R centrifuge

RNA Analysis

Agilent 2100 Bioanalyzer

Access to a Nanodrop 2000c Spectrophotometer

PCR and qPCR

MJ Research Thermal Cycler

ABI 7000 Sequence Detection System

Tissue culture lab

The Reproductive Physiology Group has a newly renovated Tissue Culture Lab located in Hultz Hall 107. This lab has 3 NSF Class II Type A biosafety cabinets for cell culture work. CO2 incubators are available in this lab, as well as inverted and upright microscopy.

Please read this Tissue Culture Lab guidelines that includes guidelines on using this lab.

tissue culture lab

These are facilities routinely utilized by the Reproductive Physiology Group, and are integral to the success of our research projects:

Advanced Imaging and Microscopy (AIM) Lab

Animal Nutrition and Physiology Center (ANPC)

  • Located at ANPC are two ultrasound consoles used extensively by the Group: An Aloka 3500 Doppler Ultrasound and an Aloka ProSound Alpha 6.
  • If you have questions regarding the use of these ultrasound systems, please contact Jim Kirsch.

Beef Cattle Research Complex

Beef Cattle Research & Teaching Center

Core Biology Facility

Sheep Research & Teaching Center