education and training
- D.V.M., Veterinary School of Maisons-Alfort
- M.Sc., University of Paris VI
- Ph.D., University of Tours
Comizzoli, Pierre
Director, Consortia for Science
Reproductive physiology and biotechnologies in Ungulates and Carnivores (domestic and wild)
Background And Education
awards and honors
- Smithsonian Scholarly Studies Award, conferred by Smithsonian Scholarly Studies Awards, 2020
- Smithsonian Scholarly Studies Award, conferred by Smithsonian Scholarly Studies Awards, 2019
- Smithsonian Scholarly Studies Award, conferred by Smithsonian Scholarly Studies Awards, 2018
- Smithsonian Scholarly Studies Award, conferred by Smithsonian Scholarly Studies Awards, 2017
Research And Grants
co-principal investigator on
- Understanding sperm maturation to enhance male fertility in the domestic cat model awarded by Smithsonian Scholarly Studies Awards 2018 -
- Assessing and Improving the Preservation of Feline Oocytes Using Protein Markers awarded by Smithsonian Scholarly Studies Awards
- Diagnosing Pregnancy in the Cheetah - Cracking the code to understand fertility failure awarded by Competitive Grants Program for Science
- Genetic Distinctions Between Two Pairs of Closely-Related Canids and Felids: Developing Comparative Genomic and Evolutionary Foundations for Management and Conservation awarded by Competitive Grants Program for Science
- A novel in vitro approach to preserve and extend the female fertility in rare and endangered species awarded by Competitive Grants Program for Science
investigator on
- Creation of a Mobile Laboratory Unit to Collect and Preserve Sperm and Eggs from the Endangered Panamanian Golden Frog (Atelopus zeteki) awarded by Woodtiger Fund
- Drying, Storing and Reanimating Egg Germinal Vesicles awarded by National Institutes of Health
- Drying, Storing and Reanimating Egg Germinal Vesicles to Preserve Fertility awarded by U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
- Expanding Laboratory Activities to Collect, Preserve, and Use Germplasms and Cell Lines from the Endangered Panamanian Golden Frog (Atelopus zeteki) awarded by Woodtiger Fund
- Understanding mechanisms of cellular stress response to develop long-term preservation of living tissues at room temperatures
- Using the Microbiome for Sustained Synthesis and Delivery of a Spermicide within the Vagina A Novel Approach to Non-Hormonal Contraception for Women awarded by Eastern Virginia Medical School
Publications
selected publications
-
article
- Adding new ingredients to the recipe for successful embryo transfers 2021
- Exposure to epididymal extracellular vesicles enhances immature sperm function and sustains vitality of cryopreserved spermatozoa in the domestic cat model 2021
- Influence of freezing techniques and glycerol-based cryoprotectant combinations on the survival of testicular tissues from adult collared peccaries 2021
- Oocyte Meiotic Competence in the Domestic Cat Model: Novel Roles for Nuclear Proteins BRD2 and NPM1 2021
- Repeated Evaluations of Testes and Semen Characteristics in Two Binturongs (Arctictis binturong) 2021
- The Interconnected Health Initiative: A Smithsonian Framework to Extend One Health Research and Education 2021
- Understanding Reproductive Aging in Wildlife to Improve Animal Conservation and Human Reproductive Health 2021
- Understanding and Assisting Reproduction in Wildlife Species Using Microfluidics 2021
- Birth of a Giant Panda Cub After Artificial Insemination with Frozen–Thawed Semen: A Powerful Reminder About the Key Role of Biopreservation and Biobanking for Wildlife Conservation 2020
- Cryopreservation and Culture of Testicular Tissues: An Essential Tool for Biodiversity Preservation 2020
- David E. Wildt-An Inspiring Leader in the Conservation of Wild Species 2020
- First Birth of Cheetah Cubs from In Vitro Fertilization and Embryo Transfer 2020
- First Evaluations and Cryopreservation of Semen Samples from Sunda Clouded Leopards (Neofelis diardi) 2020
- Influence of Microwave-Assisted Drying on Structural Integrity and Viability of Testicular Tissues from Adult and Prepubertal Domestic Cats 2020
- Influence of different extenders on morphological and functional parameters of frozen-thawed spermatozoa of jaguar (Panthera onca) 2020
- Integrating fertility preservation and cryo-banking into the conservation of rare and endangered deer species 2020
- Long-Term Preservation of Testicular Tissue Integrity and Viability Using Vitrification in the Endangered Black-Footed Ferret (Mustela nigripes) 2020
- Novel proteomic profiling of epididymal extracellular vesicles in the domestic cat reveals proteins related to sequential sperm maturation with differences observed between normospermic and teratospermic individuals 2020
- Reproductive biology and biotechnologies in wild felids 2020
- Short-term effects of GPS collars on the activity, behavior, and adrenal response of scimitar-horned oryx (Oryx dammah) 2020
- Sperm Morphology and Male Age in Black-Throated Blue Warblers, an Ecological Model System 2020
- Activation of adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) enhances energy metabolism, motility, and fertilizing ability of cryopreserved spermatozoa in domestic cat model 2019
- Breakthroughs and new horizons in reproductive biology of rare and endangered animal species 2019
- Combinations of Growth Factors Regulating LIF/STAT3, WNT, and FGF2 Pathways Sustain Pluripotency-Related Proteins in Cat Embryonic Cells 2019
- Desiccation and supra-zero temperature storage of cat germinal vesicles lead to less structural damage and similar epigenetic alterations compared to cryopreservation 2019
- Early ovine preantral follicles have a potential to grow until antral stage in two-step culture system in the presence of aqueous extract of Justicia insularis 2019
- Endogenous pluripotent factor expression after reprogramming cat fetal fibroblasts using inducible transcription factors 2019
- Environmental effects on collared peccaries (Pecan tajacu) serum testosterone, testicular morphology, and semen quality in the Caatinga biome 2019
- Genetic Cryopreservation of Rare Breeds of Domesticated North American Livestock: Smithsonian & SVF Biodiversity Preservation Project 2019
- Influence of Cellular Lipids on Cryopreservation of Mammalian Oocytes and Preimplantation Embryos: A Review 2019
- Influence of microwave-assisted dehydration on morphological integrity and viability of cat ovarian tissues: First steps toward long-term preservation of complex biomaterials at supra-zero temperatures 2019
- RFRP3 influences basal lamina degradation, cellular death, and progesterone secretion in cultured preantral ovarian follicles from the domestic cat 2019
- Reproductive Science as an Essential Component of Conservation Biology: New Edition 2019
- Responsiveness of the cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus) ovary to exogenous gonadotropins after preemptive oral progestin treatment 2019
- Sex steroids influence organizational but not functional decidualization of feline endometrial cells in a 3D culture system 2019
- Single injection of eCG/hCG leads to successful estrous synchronization in the collared peccary (Pecari tajacu Linnaeus, 1758) 2019
- Superficial and profound considerations about sperm quality 2019
- Three-dimensional culture of endometrial cells from domestic cats: A new in vitro platform for assessing plastic toxicity 2019
- Uniform Sperm Morphology in the Lek-Breeding Wire-Tailed Manakin (Pipra Filicauda) 2019
- Whole Genome Sequencing and Re-sequencing of the Sable Antelope (Hippotragus niger): A Resource for Monitoring Diversity in ex Situ and in Situ Populations 2019
- Addressing challenges in developing and implementing successful in vitro fertilization in endangered species: an opportunity for humanity to "give back" 2018
- Influence of extracellular environment on the motility and structural properties of spermatozoa collected from hormonally stimulated Panamanian Golden Frog (Atelopus zeteki) 2018
- Influence of warming and reanimation conditions on seminiferous tubule morphology, mitochondrial activity, and cell composition of vitrified testicular tissues in the domestic cat model 2018
- Insulin promotes preantral follicle growth and antrum formation through temporal expression of genes regulating steroidogenesis and water transport in the cat 2018
- Proteomic analysis of germinal vesicles in the domestic cat model reveals candidate nuclear proteins involved in oocyte competence acquisition 2018
- Retinoic acid promotes in vitro follicle activation in the cat ovary by regulating expression of matrix metalloproteinase 9 2018
- Supplementation of in vitro culture medium with FSH to grow follicles and mature oocytes can be replaced by extracts of Justicia insularis 2018
- The mutual benefits of research in wild animal species and human-assisted reproduction 2018
- Age-associated and deslorelin-induced declines in serum anti-Müllerian hormone concentrations in female cheetahs, Acinonyx jubatus 2017
- Beneficial effect of extracellular adenosine 5'-triphosphate treatment on the Indochinese leopard (Panthera pardus delacouri) sperm quality after cryopreservation 2017
- Circumventing the natural, frequent oestrogen waves of the female cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus) using oral progestin (Altrenogest) 2017
- Deciphering the mechanisms involving cenexin, ninein and centriolin in sperm maturation during epididymal transit in the domestic cat 2017
- Dry Preservation of Spermatozoa: Considerations for Different Species 2017
- Dynamic changes in mitochondrial DNA, distribution and activity within cat oocytes during folliculogenesis 2017
- Effects of hormonal stimulation on the concentration and quality of excreted spermatozoa in the critically endangered Panamanian golden frog (Atelopus zeteki) 2017
- Key factors enhancing sperm fertilizing ability are transferred from the epididymis to the spermatozoa via epididymosomes in the domestic cat model 2017
- Mitigation of sperm tail abnormalities using demembranation approach in the clouded leopard (Neofelis nebulosa) 2017
- Non-invasive identification of protein biomarkers for early pregnancy diagnosis in the cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus) 2017
- Presence of sucrose in the vitrification solution and exposure for longer periods of time improve post-warming follicle integrity in cat ovarian tissues 2017
- Saving the saola from extinction 2017
- Short-term hypertonic exposure enhances in vitro follicle growth and meiotic competence of enclosed oocytes while modestly affecting mRNA expression of aquaporin and steroidogenic genes in the domestic cat model 2017
- Stem cell factor promotes in vitro ovarian follicle development in the domestic cat by upregulating c-kit mRNA expression and stimulating the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/AKT pathway 2017
- Structural integrity and developmental potential of spermatozoa following microwave-assisted drying in the domestic cat model 2017
- Successful laparoscopic oviductal artificial insemination in the clouded leopard (neofelis nebulosa) in thailand 2017
- The impact of ovarian stimulation protocol on oocyte quality, subsequent in vitro embryo development, and pregnancy after transfer to recipients in Eld's deer (Rucervus eldii thamin) 2017
- The nuclear and developmental competence of cumulus-oocyte complexes is enhanced by three-dimensional coculture with conspecific denuded oocytes during in vitro maturation in the domestic cat model 2017
- Advanced biotechnologies for wildlife fertility preservation 2016
- Biomaterials repositories: the science and business of biobanking 2016
- Carbonyl cyanide 4-(trifluoromethoxy)phenylhydrazone (FCCP) pre-exposure ensures follicle integrity during in vitro culture of ovarian tissue but not during cryopreservation in the domestic cat model 2016
- Incidence of methylated histones H3K4 and H3K79 in cat germinal vesicles is regulated by specific nuclear factors at the acquisition of developmental competence during the folliculogenesis 2016
- Influence of living status (single vs. paired) and centrifugation with colloids on the sperm morphology and functionality in the clouded leopard (Neofelis nebulosa) 2016
- The preservation of vital functions in cat ovarian tissues during vitrification depends more on the temperature of the cryoprotectant exposure than on the sucrose supplementation 2016
- Biobanking efforts and new advances in male fertility preservation for rare and endangered species 2015
- Biotechnologies for wildlife fertility preservation 2015
- Damage to fetal bovine ovarian tissue caused by cryoprotectant exposure and vitrification is mitigated during tissue culture 2015
- Effect of extracellular adenosine 5’- triphosphate (ATPe) on cryopreserved epididymal cat sperm intracellular ATP concentration, sperm quality and in vitro fertilizing ability 2015
- Nucleolar Translocation of Histone Deacetylase 2 Is Involved in Regulation of Transcriptional Silencing in the Cat Germinal Vesicle 2015
- Positive impact of sucrose supplementation during slow freezing of cat ovarian tissues on cellular viability, follicle morphology, and DNA integrity 2015
- Resilience of Oocyte Germinal Vesicles to Microwave-Assisted Drying in the Domestic Cat Model 2015
- Spermatozoa isolated from cat testes retain their structural integrity as well as a developmental potential after refrigeration for up to 7 days 2015
- Epidermal Growth Factor (EGF) Sustains In Vitro Primordial Follicle Viability by Enhancing Stromal Cell Proliferation via MAPK and PI3K Pathways in the Prepubertal, but Not Adult Cat Ovary 2014
- Follicle stimulating hormone receptor (FSHR) alternative skipping of exon 2 or 3 affects ovarian response to FSH 2014
- Mammalian fertility preservation through cryobiology: value of classical comparative studies and the need for new preservation options 2014
- Recent advances and prospects in germplasm preservation of rare and endangered species 2014
- Influence of Culture Medium Composition on Relative mRNA Abundances in Domestic Cat Embryos 2013
- Retention of Structure and Function of the Cat Germinal Vesicle after Air-Drying and Storage at Supra-Zero Temperature 2013
- Absence of Seasonal Changes in FSHR Gene Expression in the Cat Cumulus-Oocyte Complex in Vivo and in Vitro 2012
- Birth of Kittens After the Transfer of Frozen–Thawed Embryos Produced by Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection with Spermatozoa Collected from Cryopreserved Testicular Tissue 2012
- Cat and Dog Primordial Follicles Enclosed in Ovarian Cortex Sustain Viability after In vitro Culture on Agarose Gel in a Protein-Free Medium 2012
- Comparative cryobiological traits and requirements for gametes and gonadal tissues collected from wildlife species 2012
- Effects of cold storage on plasma membrane, DNA integrity and fertilizing ability of feline testicular spermatozoa 2012
- Feline spermatozoa from fresh and cryopreserved testicular tissues have comparable ability to fertilize matured oocytes and sustain the embryo development after intracytoplasmic sperm injection 2012
- Increase in Histone Methylation in the Cat Germinal Vesicle Related to Acquisition of Meiotic and Developmental Competence 2012
- On the Horizon for Fertility Preservation in Domestic and Wild Carnivores 2012
- Source of Protein Supplementation during In Vitro Culture does not Affect the Quality of Resulting Blastocysts in the Domestic Cat 2012
- The Domestic Dog and Cat as Models for Understanding the Regulation of Ovarian Follicle Development In Vitro 2012
- Cryopreserving endangered species gametes, embryos and gonadal tissue: Challenges, successes and future directions 2011
- Increasing Age Influences Uterine Integrity, but Not Ovarian Function or Oocyte Quality in the Cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus) 2011
- The competence of germinal vesicle oocytes is unrelated to nuclear chromatin configuration and strictly depends on cytoplasmic quantity and quality in the cat model 2011
- Oocyte quality and estradiol supplementation affect in vitro maturation success in the white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) 2010
- Advances in reproductive science for wild carnivore conservation 2009
- In vitro compaction of germinal vesicle chromatin is beneficial to survival of vitrified cat oocytes 2009
- Lessons from biodiversity - the value of nontraditional species to advance reproductive science, conservation, and human health 2009
- Paracrine Factors from Cumulus-Enclosed Oocytes Ensure the Successful Maturation and Fertilization in Vitro of Denuded Oocytes in the Cat Model 2009
- Impact of anisosmotic conditions on structural and functional integrity of cumulus-oocyte complexes at the germinal vesicle stage in the domestic cat 2008
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chapter
- From the Ivory Tower to Reality! Conclusions of the New Edition 2019
- Reproductive Microbiomes in Wild Animal Species: A New Dimension in Conservation Biology 2019
- Centrosomal Functions and Dysfunctions in Cat Spermatozoa 2012
- Protecting and Extending Fertility for Females of Wild and Endangered Mammals 2010
- A historic overview of embryos and oocyte preservation in the world of mammalian in vitro fertilization and biotechnology 2009
Other
Location
- National Zoological Park Academic Department
Smithsonian Conservation Commons Biography
- Pierre Comizzoli joined the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute in Washington, DC as a staff scientist to develop new projects on gamete and gonadal tissue cryo-banking for rare and endangered species. His comparative research on fertility preservation in various wild and domestic animal species creates interesting bridges with human reproductive health and medicine.
