Register now After registration you will be able to apply for this opportunity online.
This opportunity is not published. No applications will be accepted.
Master thesis "Gestagen metabolites during late pregnancy in Asian elephants (Elephas maximus)"
Elephants are among the few mammalians which do not use progesterone as functional gestagen. A detailed analysis of specific progestins using LC-MS/MS will unravel the gestagen meabolites of Asian elephants during late pregnancy and calving.
Elephants are among the few mammals which do not use progesterone as functional gestagen. Instead, alternative progestins like 5α-pregnane-3-ol-20-one (5α-P-3OH) that likewise bind the progestin receptor are predominantly present during the female estrous cycle and support pregnancy. Previous studies have revealed the pattern of gestagen metabolites during the cycle. However, little is known about gestagene metabolites during late pregnancy. Plasma samples from five Asian elephants during monitored calving in capture (zoo) are available for a detailed analysis of specific progestins using Liquid Chromatography – Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS MS).
Applicants should be enrolled in the study course Biology, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Agricultural Sciences or related fields. The Master candidate should be able to work independently in the field.
We offer a very well equipped facility at ETH Zurich in a workplace of a young and emerging research group. Both exchange within the interdisciplinary Animal Physiology group and outside co-operations are anticipated and highly furthered. Publication activities and conference participation if applicable are promoted.
Elephants are among the few mammals which do not use progesterone as functional gestagen. Instead, alternative progestins like 5α-pregnane-3-ol-20-one (5α-P-3OH) that likewise bind the progestin receptor are predominantly present during the female estrous cycle and support pregnancy. Previous studies have revealed the pattern of gestagen metabolites during the cycle. However, little is known about gestagene metabolites during late pregnancy. Plasma samples from five Asian elephants during monitored calving in capture (zoo) are available for a detailed analysis of specific progestins using Liquid Chromatography – Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS MS). Applicants should be enrolled in the study course Biology, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Agricultural Sciences or related fields. The Master candidate should be able to work independently in the field. We offer a very well equipped facility at ETH Zurich in a workplace of a young and emerging research group. Both exchange within the interdisciplinary Animal Physiology group and outside co-operations are anticipated and highly furthered. Publication activities and conference participation if applicable are promoted.
The project aims at elucidating the characteristics of placental gestagens during the final pregnancy period and parturition in elephants.
The project aims at elucidating the characteristics of placental gestagens during the final pregnancy period and parturition in elephants.
ETH Zurich
JProf. Dr. Marion Schmicke
Animal Physiology
Institute of Agricultural Sciences
Universitätstr. 2 / LFW B 58.1
8092 Zurich, Switzerland
marion.schmicke@usys.ethz.ch
www.ap.ethz.ch
ETH Zurich JProf. Dr. Marion Schmicke Animal Physiology Institute of Agricultural Sciences Universitätstr. 2 / LFW B 58.1 8092 Zurich, Switzerland