The Biology of Reproduction, Environment, Epigenetics and Development (BREED) joint research unit studies the effects of environment, in the broadest sense, on reproduction, development during embryonic and foetal life and the health of offspring. It gathers researchers, hospital clinicians and veterinarians for both agronomic and biomedical research.

The scientific context is based on the need to understand and control the mechanisms of epigenetic programming during prenatal life leading to the birth of a healthy, fertile and robust individual, capable of adapting to changes in its environment.

The aims of our research are to improve fertility and the efficiency of reproductive biotechnologies in humans and animals, to study the physiological and molecular mechanisms that determine the phenotypes of the offspring (health, growth, fertility, etc.) and to identify predictive and non-invasive biomarkers for these phenotypes, some of which could complement genetic selection strategies in animals. The unit relies on research involving several animal models (rabbits, ruminants, rodents, horses) and multiple and complementary imaging approaches, from the microscopic scale to the whole live animal. In vitro models are also developed as alternatives to animal experimentation (primary cell cultures, organoids, embryoids). This expertise and tools are complemented by clinical studies conducted by hospital and veterinary practitioners.