About Us

About Us

A, normal monkey 4-cell embryo stained with anti-a-tubulin (green) and DAPI nuclear stain (blue). B, monkey embryo at 4-6 cell stage demonstrating fragmented chromatin and micronuclei resulting from ICSI fertilization with an abnormal sperm.
A, normal monkey 4-cell embryo stained with anti-a-tubulin (green) and DAPI nuclear stain (blue). B, monkey embryo at 4-6 cell stage demonstrating fragmented chromatin and micronuclei resulting from ICSI fertilization with an abnormal sperm.

Our laboratory is a joint laboratory directed by Drs. Stuart Meyers and Pouya Dini in the School of Veterinary Medicine at UC Davis. We study the fundamental and applied biology of sperm, eggs, embryos, and the biology of the equine placenta.

Research in our laboratory is focused on several primary research models encompassing Gamete Biology and Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART):

  1. Equine Assisted Reproduction Technology (eART) and in vitro production of horse embryos
  2. Sperm biology and cryopreservation in stallions and dogs
  3. Germ cell transplantation in migratory fishes (salmonids and sturgeon)
  4. Equine placental development
  5. Placental pathologies in horses

Low power microscopic video of actively motile fish sperm from a white sturgeon

3D fluorescence confocal microscope image and movie showing scans through the z-plane and deconvolved images. Dr. Won Hee Song, 2018

Due to our combined expertise and experience studying in vitro production of equine embryos, and along with the support of the Equine Reproduction Service at the UCD Veterinary Medicine Teaching Hospital (VMTH), we offer equine embryo production using ICSI in vitro fertilization as a clinical service to the horse-owning public. In addition, our laboratory is one of the few ART centers in the world that is equipped with live embryo monitoring system, allowing us to evaluate the embryo formation precisely.

View Video of
Equine Embryos Growing

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