Gamete Biology Laboratory
Department of Animal Science 

UC Davis - The University of California, Davis

Trish Berger.
 
Trish Berger, Ph.D.
Professor of Animal Science

 

Phone: (530)752-1267
FAX: (530)752-0175
E-mail: tberger@ucdavis.edu

 

Education

  • B.A., Biochemistry, University of Kansas, 1975.
  • (Year Abroad) Physiology and Biochemistry of Farm Animals, University of Reading, England, 1974-1975
  • M.S., Animal Science, Purdue University, 1977.
  • Ph.D., Animal Science, Purdue University, 1980.

Research

Research in this laboratory focuses on mammalian fertilization and the molecules involved in the fertilization process. We are focusing on interactions between sperm and oocyte plasma membrane molecules after sperm have undergone the acrosome reaction. Details of these interactions including receptor/ligand pairings are still largely unknown. Our research typically involves in vitro fertilization or aspects of those procedures such as sperm penetration of zona-free oocytes and isolation of individual molecules. Occasionally, research includes artificial or natural insemination to assess differences in in vivo fertility among males or to assess other parameters of reproduction in conjunction with sperm-oocyte interaction.

The pig is one of the primary species studied due in part to the availability of large numbers of gametes and hence molecules derived from gametes. Studies occasionally use other domestic species and gametes from exotic species as conservation of gamete receptors/ligands is of particular interest as well. Environmental toxicant-induced changes in the gamete receptors/ligands during rat gametogenesis and maturation is a second model for our laboratory and provides the opportunity to manipulate the system.

For more details click here.

Current Graduate Students

Graduate student training and research is an important part of the activities in our laboratory. Click here for a list of current graduate students.

Selected Publications

Click here for a list of selected publications.

Courses Taught

Click here for a list of courses taught.

Opportunities for Graduate Studies

Graduate students in the Gamete Biology Laboratory work toward the M.S. or Ph.D. degree in Animal Biology, the Ph.D. degree in Molecular, Cellular and Integrative Physiology, or the Ph.D. in Cell and Developmental Biology. Details on these programs are available on their homepages or contact me for further information.