Department Overview
The Department of Veterinary Disciplines is a long-established academic unit focused on research, teaching, and professional consultancy in the fields of animal health, reproduction, and welfare. Its activities primarily concentrate on the study of reproductive functions in both farm and companion animals, the development of modern reproductive biotechnologies, the prevention of fertility disorders, and a comprehensive approach to animal health management under the dynamically changing conditions of contemporary society.
A significant part of the department’s activities is also dedicated to research on emergent pathogens with zoonotic potential, which pose an increasing risk not only to veterinary but also to human medicine. Research outcomes contribute to the protection of both animal and human health and are fully aligned with the One Health concept, emphasizing the interconnection between human, animal, and environmental health.
Research Activities
The research activities of the department focus on two key areas of veterinary science: reproductive biotechnologies and research on infectious and emergent animal diseases.
Reproductive Biology and Biotechnology
Research in this area is primarily focused on:
- the biology of gametes, oocyte maturation processes, and early embryonic development, particularly in the pig as an important biomedical model,
- molecular mechanisms of sperm and oocyte maturation, their interactions during fertilization, and factors affecting the fertilizing capacity of gametes,
- evaluation of semen quality in farm animals and sperm preservation in modified extenders with reduced or replaced antibiotic use.
Reproductive processes are studied using modern molecular-biological, biochemical, histological, and genetic methods. Special attention is paid to post-translational modifications of gamete proteins and the identification of molecular markers important for assessing their functional maturity.
Infectious and Emergent Diseases
The second major research area of the department is the study of emergent animal pathogens, particularly parasites and pathogenic fungi with interspecies transmission potential. Research focuses mainly on:
- pathogens associated with synanthropic and synurban animals,
- health risks arising from the keeping of exotic animals,
- genetic diversity of pathogens and mechanisms of their transmission between animals and humans,
- the use of nuclear and mitochondrial genetic markers in diagnostics and epidemiology of infections,
- newly identified structural aberrations of mitochondrial genomes and their association with parasitic lifestyles.
The acquired knowledge contributes to improved diagnostics, prevention, and control of infectious diseases and to reducing the risk of emerging zoonoses.
Educational Activities
The Department of Veterinary Disciplines provides instruction in both basic and specialized courses within bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral study programs at the faculties FAPPZ and FTZ. Teaching focuses primarily on:
- animal anatomy and physiology,
- cell and gamete biology, zoohygiene, and prevention of animal diseases,
- physiology and hygiene of nutrition,
- bioethics, reproductive biology, endocrinology, and reproductive management,
- animal pathophysiology and pathology, pharmacology, fundamentals of clinical and laboratory diagnostics,
- anesthesia assistance and pain management, infectious disease management, surgery, and imaging methods.
In line with its research focus, the department guarantees the master’s degree programs Biotechnology (REPROM) with specialization in Reproductive Biotechnology (REPROMR), Veterinary Assistant – Specialist (VETEM), and the bachelor’s degree program Veterinary Assistant (VETEB). Teaching is closely linked to current research results and emphasizes the development of students’ practical skills.
Consultancy and Cooperation
The Department of Veterinary Disciplines closely collaborates with numerous national and international institutions and actively participates in national and international research projects. Key domestic partners include:
- Institute of Animal Science, Uhříněves
- Institute of Biotechnology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, BIOCEV, Vestec
- Institute of Animal Physiology and Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Liběchov
- Veterinary Research Institute, Brno
- Institute of Experimental Medicine of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague
- International partners include, for example:
- University of Missouri (USA)
- Centre of Biosciences, Institute of Biochemistry and Animal Genetics, Slovak Academy of Sciences (Slovakia)
- Université des Sciences et Technologies de Lille (France)
- Universidad de Murcia (Spain)
- University of Banja Luka (Bosnia and Herzegovina)
- Animal Production Research Centre Nitra (Slovakia)
- Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (Sweden)
- University of Illinois (USA)
- Arkansas State University (USA)
- French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety (ANSES)
- Guangdong Academy of Sciences (China)
- University of the Sunshine Coast (Australia)
The department also provides expert consultations and advisory services in the areas of reproduction, animal health management, and prevention of infectious diseases.
