Website: https://websites.auth.gr/labrepro/en/homepage/
Year of Endorsement: 1980
Number of Endorsement’s Act/Government’s Gazette Number (FEK): 98/29-4-1980
Address / Communication:
Laboratory of Physiology of Reproduction of Farm Animals, AUTH Farm, Thermi, GR57001
Director: Georgios Michailidis, Professor
Email: michageo@agro.auth.gr
Tel: +302310 991712
Members – Teaching Staff
Georgios Michailidis, Professor
Emeritus and retired professors
Avdi Melpomeni, Emeritus professor
Alifakiotis Thomas, retired professor
Zafragkas Apostolos, retired professor
Collaborating Scientists
Konstantina Makridou, Postdoctoral Researcher
Efthimios Aygeris, PhD Student
Paraskevi-Eleni Tsokanta, PhD Student
Despoina Koutra, PhD Student
Research Field
The Laboratory covers the following scientific subjects:
- Physiology of Reproduction of Farm Animals
- Applied Reproduction
- Reproductive Biotechnology
- Reproductive Endocrinology
- Gene Technology
- Precision Livestock Farming
History
The Laboratory of Physiology of Reproduction of Farm Animals, as an independent administrative, educational and research unit of the Department of Agriculture of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, was established in 1980 (PD 351, GG 98, 29/4/1980), with Professor Alifakiotis Thomas as its first Director. The Laboratory’s research activities are carried out in its facilities, which are housed in a suitably designed building of the Department of Agriculture, at the University Farm in Thermi. The development of the buildings and the initial infrastructure for the installation and operation of the Laboratory unit at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki Farm began with funding from the Ministry of Agriculture in the context of funded research programs on the reproduction of farm animals. It was subsequently developed mainly with the Laboratory’s income derived from research projects. The members of the Laboratory, in addition to their administrative and research work and undergraduate teaching duties, participated in the Postgraduate Studies Program Specialization of the Animal Production Sector of the Department of Agriculture under the name Animal Production Science. The members of the Laboratory participate in various research programs funded by the General Secretariat for Research and Technology, the Ministry of Rural Development and Food, the European Union, various public and private organizations and collaborate with many International and European Foundations. The Laboratory provides education and research at undergraduate and postgraduate levels in the reproduction and genetic improvement of farm animals, in the applications of biotechnology and genetic engineering in the reproduction of farm animals and in assisted reproduction methods. It has developed multifaceted work, contributing substantially to scientific progress and the development of best practices in the reproduction and genetic improvement of productive animals.
Teaching Activities
The members of the Laboratory of Physiology of Reproduction of Farm Animals are responsible for teaching six (6) undergraduate courses (Animal Breeding –Reproduction N010Y, Physiology of Reproduction of Farm Animals N408Y, Horse Breeding N424 E, Applied Farm Animal Reproduction N401Y, New Techniques in Farm Animal Reproduction N411E, Artificial Insemination N410Y) of the Department of Agriculture of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki.
The members of the Laboratory also participate in the supervision of bachelor’s and doctoral (PhD) theses.
Research Activities
The main research activities of the laboratory include:
- Physiology of reproduction of farm animals
- Biotechnology of reproduction
- Genetic improvement
- Effects of gene polymorphisms on reproductive parameters
- Effects of endocrine disruptors on reproductive parameters
- Heat stress and climate change
- Gene expression
- Hormones and hormone receptors
- Conservation of autochthonous farm animals breeds – conservation of biodiversity
- Creation of genetic banks
Facilities and Equipment
The Laboratory’s equipment includes:
- PCR and Real-Time PCR thermocyclers
- PCR protection chamber with ultraviolet radiation
- Electrophoresis devices
- Centrifuges and refrigerated centrifuge
- UV radiation device with photography system
- Sterilization ovens
- Incubation ovens
- Digital shakers
- Microscopes
- Precision balances
- Refrigerators and freezers
Recent Research Projects
- Recovery of high value-added products from the waste of Imeros Agricultural Cooperative olive mill for use in animal feed production – ESPA 2014-2020, RDP Measure 16.1-16.2 – Action 1 and 2. Μ16SYN2-00276. Duration: 01/08/2023 – 31/05/2025.
- PROFARMED – Advancing Precision Livestock Farming Education”, 2024-1-EL01-KA220-HED-000251915, KA220-HED – Cooperation partnerships in higher education. Duration: 01/09/2024 – 31/08/2026
- PAPESHE – Protection of Autochthonous populations of Pelagonia Sheep breed in the cross-border area, 5032716, INTERREG IPA Cross Border Cooperation Programme Greece – North Macedonia. Duration: 30/07/2018 – 1/5/2021.
- CIRCUIT – Promoting Circular Economy Incubator for Youth. 5070715. COOPERATION PROGRAMME INTERREG V-A: GREECE – BULGARIA 2014-2020. Διάρκεια έργου: 13/04/2021 – 12/04/2023.
- ECOBREEDS. Policies and strategies for environmental protection and preservation of pastoral systems and local livestock breeds in the Adriatic Ionian region, Interreg VI-B IPA Adriatic Ionian Cooperation Programme 2021-2027. Duration: 1/8/2024 – 31/7/2027
- 2025-1-PL01-KA220-VET000353310. FARMS 5.0 – Future-Aligned Resilient Modern Systems for Farmers Adhering to Industry 5.0 Principles towards Sustainable Agriculture. 01/09/2025 – 31/08/2027, Amount: 250.000 EUR.
- 2025-1-PL01-KA220-HED-000363519 SLIMPACT: Sustainable livestock management: addressing climate change impacts through innovative education and training. 01/09/2025 – 31/08/2028, Amount: 400.000,00 EUR.
- GFA Breeds – Genetic improvement and promotion of products from Greek farm animal breeds through modern methods of sustainable development and gene technologies – ESPA 2014-2020, RDP Measure 16.1-16.2 – Action 1 and 2. Μ16SYN2-00304
Recent Theses
PhD Theses:
- Gkiorsos Vasileios (2022). Effects of endocrine disruptors in chicken reproductive parameters
- Tsokanta Paraskevi-Eleni (2023 – to date). Improving reproductive and productive parameters of indigenous farm animal breeds through modern gene technology methods
- Avgeris Efthimios (2023 – to date). Implementation of systems of integrated production management of autochthonous farm animals breeds
- Koutra Despoina (2024 – to date). Identification of functional molecular markers responsible for reproductive and productive parameters of farm animals
Diploma Theses:
- Zafeiraki Nikoletta (2025). Genetic improvement of farm animals and polymorphisms which improve their reproduction
- Theodoros Gkioutziouridis (2024). Polymorphisms in farm animals and how they affect productive traits
- Triantafyllou Anastasia (2024). Effects of hormones on physiology of reproduction and possible inhibitors of their action
- Despoina Koutra (2023). Methods and techniques of embryo transfer in farm animals
- Eleftheria Vordogianni (2023). Pigreproduction
- Christina Zosimidou (2023). Effects of gene polymorphisms in reproduction parameters of farm animals
- Athinodoros Kailis Καϊλής (2023). Horse breeding on national and international level
- Tsokanta Paraskevi-Eleni (2022). Molecular marker and polymorphisms in reproductive parameters
- Klafounis Nikolaos (2022). Basic knowledge of poultry breeding
- Satrazanis Vasileios (2022). CowReproduction
- Modikou Stamatia (2022). Gene polymorphisms responsible for reproductive parameters in farm animals
- Xrysoula Adamakopoulou (2022). Horse breeding and parental testing
- Kokkinos Ioannis (2020). Farming of fur animals in Greece
- Efstathiou Rafailia (2020). Applications of gene technology in farm animals’ reproduction
- Anastasiadis Petros (2020). Embryo sex determination
- Bosdeli Despoina (2019). HorseReproduction
- NikolaosKourkoutas (2019). Hormonesresponsibleforthereproductionoffarmanimals
- Tsoutsouli Konstantina (2019). Embryonic development and embryonic mortality