To define effect of oxysterols on mammalian sperm functionality, membrane remodelling, mitochondrial function, oxidative stress, DNA integrity, and fertilization ability using either an in silico (biological networks-based computational modelling) or in vitro approach (flow cytometry, 2D electrophoresis, HPLC, mass spectrometry, confocal microscopy, IVF)(UniCo, UniPd, LF).

To apply to these topics the technologies developed in ESR2 (lab on chip and to study the effect of oxidative stress on male gametes (integration with ESR4 and ESR6).

In collaboration with ESR10 it will be investigated whether dietary interventions could affect the sirtuin expression profile in spermatozoa and in collaboration with ESR8 it will be analysed the effect of food supplementation on the reproductive activity of zebrafish.

ESR 5

Effects of dietary exposure to ochratoxin A (OTA) mycotoxin below/around guidance values on embryo/fetal development and pregnancy success

Internal Tutor

Augusto Carluccio

Domenico Robbe

External academic institution

Utrecht University

Ghent University-Ugent

University of Bari "Aldo Moro"

Tutor

Bernard Roelen

Ann Van Soom

Maria Elena Dell’Aquila

Non-academic institution

F.P.A. S.R.L. Fantini Professional Advice FPA

National Research Council Bari-ISPA-CNR

Supervisor

Alessandro Fantini

Fiorenza Minervini

ESRs:

Shafaq Asif

Objectives, methods and topic interactions:

Correlation between OTA food contamination and its concentration in on reproductive performance in livestock animals (FPA);

To define dose effect of OTA dietary contamination (ISPA-CNR) in farm animals on: a) in vivo embryo development and fetal annexa derived cells; b) in vitro on IVM/IVF derived early stage embryos and FAD-MSC derived lines (UniBa).

To define the molecular and epigenetic effects of OTA on embryo/fetal development and FAD-MSC derived

To verify an antimycotoxin effect of food-associated and intestinal microorganisms, in cooperation with ERS7. To these aims, pluripotency (expression of pluripotency, apoptosis and oxidative stress genes in the inner cell mass by qRT-PCR and immunostaining for protein distribution) and FAD-MSC lines proliferation and differentiation ability (expression of molecular and phenotypic biomarkers of specific lineages) will be assessed (UniU, Ugent).

ESR 11

Food habits, life style, genetic background in tumour initiation and progression of reproductive system

Internal Tutors

Annamaria Cimini

Rodolfo Ippoliti

External academic institution

Temple University

Tutor

Antonio Giordano

Non-academic institution

Dompé

Supervisor

Marcello Allegretti

ESR:

Reyes Benot Dominiguez

Objectives, methods and topic interactions:

To understand the phases of tumour initiation and progression (tumour of reproductive system i.e. breast and ovarian cancer) linked to environmental stressors and food habits;

To understanding of the biological assays for determining the cellular aspects of tumour initiation and progression;

To understanding of the positive or negative effects of the different component of foods in relation to tumorigenesis (TU);

Interactions with ESR8, in order to assay the effects of identified endocrine disruptors on tumour initiation and progression in breast and ovarian cancer (Dompé)

Interactions with ESR1 in order to assess the effect of microencaspsulated olive oil on tumour cell proliferation and viability and with ESR2 to assay nanoparticles on different in vitro cellular systems.

Rep-Eat - H2020-MSCA-COFUND-2015

University of Teramo - Via Renato Balzarini 1 - 64100 - Teramo (TE) - Italy

repeat@unite.it - Private Area

REP_EAT MSCA Co-funding of regional, national and international programmes (COFUND) HORIZON 2020” – Grant Agreement N. 713714.CUP: C47B16000360007

University of Teramo

Abruzzo Region