Research
Research Overview
Using a comprehensive approach that combines state-of-the-art in basic science and applied investigations, our research program examines the problem of transition health and subfertility in dairy cattle at all levels of organization, from farm enterprise to cow to tissue to cell to molecules. In addition to dairy cow management and physiology, the interplay between health, nutrition, and reproduction are key aspects of our research program. Research findings are translated to the development and application of management strategies in commercial herds aiming to optimize dairy sustainability.
Current projects:
The general objectives of the proposed project are to create methods for streamlined assessment of transition management quality in dairy farms, and to help farmers make data-driven decisions to enhance cow health and welfare, and improve dairy production sustainability. To achieve these objectives, we will combine large field studies in commercial dairy farms (for collection of accurate health information) with data modelling of standardized, traditionally collected data (e.g. milk recording) and those collected by emerging technologies (e.g. sensors data). The Alliance project is divided in three large Studies, each with multiple Activities with their specific objective and hypothesis.
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One of the goals of Dr. Ribeiro’s research program is to understand the normal progression of embryo development in vivo, as well as the deviations from the norm that lead to pregnancy loss – an important issue in dairy cows. In addition to identifying major risk factors for early embryonic mortality, his research has advanced the understanding of the molecular control of embryonic development in cows, particularly regarding the elongation phase of the preimplantation conceptus (i.e. embryo and its associated extra-embryonic membranes). Elongation is a prerequisite for successful pregnancy in ruminants and depends on histotroph secretion by the endometrium. Understanding this phase is critical, as it represents a major obstacle to the survival of…
Other Contributions:
Transition Cow Health and Management
Given the important of transition management to subsequent fertility in dairy cows, Dr. Ribeiro has also focused on understanding transition cow biology and developing tools to optimize transition management, ultimately improving reproduction and production efficiency in dairy cows. His extensive contributions…
Endocrine Regulation of Reproductive Function in Dairy Cows
In addition to studying the paracrine regulation of early conceptus development, Dr. Ribeiro is also interested in understanding the endocrine regulation of reproductive function in dairy cows, as well as the use of blood biomarkers to assess reproductive and pregnancy health, and to inform management decisions. His studies with interferon-stimulated gene…