Dr. Mario Binelli
Associate Professor
The overall goal of Dr. Binelli’s program is to maximize the proportion of beef cows pregnant at the end of the breeding season with a particular focus on Bos indicus-based cattle operations. This goal is being pursued by conducting basic and applied research to understand and manipulate female reproductive tract functions to support embryo-conceptus development and pregnancy success. More than 50% of pregnancies of beef cows are lost during the first three weeks following insemination.
Programs
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Research
Research Summary
The overall goal of Dr. Binelli’s program is to maximize the proportion of beef cows pregnant at the end of the breeding season with particular focus on Bos indicus-based cattle operations. This goal is being pursued by conducting basic and applied research to understand and manipulate female reproductive tract functions to support embryo-conceptus development and pregnancy success. More than 50% of pregnancies of beef cows are lost during the first three weeks following insemination. Research will lead to increasing the odds of a successful conception from each insemination and methods to quickly re-inseminate after a failed insemination is detected.
From a basic perspective, Dr. Binelli studies endocrine, cellular and molecular regulation of reproductive events that take place in the oviduct and uterus during early pregnancy that are associated with embryo receptivity and fertility. For example, extensive research from the laboratory showed that exposure to estradiol at proestrus and progesterone during early diestrus directs oviductal and endometrial morphology, cellular function and secretory capacity to support pregnancy. Basic research is leading to new applied strategies. For example, studies on endocrine control of the reproductive tract mentioned above have resulted in applied research to study the effects of ovarian steroid supplementation on cow fertility. Other interests include development of non-genomic markers for embryo receptivity and understanding embryo signaling to the maternal reproductive tract.
Even when reproductive function is optimal, inseminations sometimes fail to result in a viable pregnancy. Reproductive efficiency can be optimized by quickly identifying such failures and re-inseminating the female. Accordingly, Dr. Binelli’s lab develops both ultrasound-based and molecular-based technologies to allow early pregnancy diagnosis.
Contact
Department of Animal Sciences
Bldg 459, Shealy Drive
PO Box 110910
Gainesville, FL 32611
Phone: (352) 392-7560
mario.binelli@ufl.edu
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Education
Education:
- 1994-1999 – Philosophy Doctor (PhD) – University of Florida (advisor: Dr. William W. Thatcher)
- 1992-1993 – Master of Science – Michigan State University (advisor: Dr. H. Allen Tucker)
- 1986-1990 – Bachelor of Science - Agronomic Engineering – ESALQ-University of São Paulo, Brazil
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Academic Positions Since Final Degree
- 2023 to present – Associate Professor of Physiology – Department of Animal Sciences, University of Florida – Gainesville, FL
- 2017 to 2023 – Assistant Professor of Physiology – Department of Animal Sciences, University of Florida – Gainesville, FL
- 2013 to present – Associate Professor-2- Department of Animal Reproduction, University of São Paulo – Pirassununga, SP, Brazil
- 2009-2013 – Associate Professor-1- Department of Animal Reproduction, University of São Paulo – Pirassununga, SP, Brazil
- 2007-2009 – Invited Professor – Faculte de Medecine Veterinaire, Université de Montréal – Saint Hyacinthe, Canada
- 2001-2009 – Assistant Professor – Department of Animal Reproduction, University of São Paulo – Pirassununga, SP, Brazil
- 1999-2001 – Post Doctoral fellow, Department of Animal Reproduction, University of São Paulo – Pirassununga, SP, Brazil
- Publications
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Professional Service and Awards
Awards and Recognition
- Honors, Recognitions, and Outstanding Achievements (72KB .pdf)
- Invited Talks (77KB .pdf)
- Invited Talks (86KB .pdf)
Professional Memberships
- Society for the Study of Reproduction
- Brazilian Society for Embryo Technology