Dr. Ildikó Benedek - MATE Research
Overview
Dr. Ildikó Benedek is an animal behaviour scientist who focuses on the genetic basis of behaviour, in particular the maternal behaviour and its relationship with stress sensitivity in rabbits. She investigates the molecular background behind the variability of behaviour. Her research includes not only different hormones and gene variants behind them, but also the regulation of genes and their impact on production traits and the next generation. She lives near Kaposvár and has two children.
Research keywords:
Publications
Genetic background of maternal behaviour and reproductive traits in the European wild rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus)
The progesterone receptor and prolactin receptor genes are candidate genes regulating nesting behaviour. We identified a novel mutation in the promoter region of the progesterone gene and showed that a previously described SNP was associated with individual differences in maternal behaviour (initiation of hay production). As a second step in our project, we sequenced the promoter region of the PRLR gene. Four point mutations and one microsatellite were detected, in which one of the SNP genotypes and the short microsatellite repeat were associated with higher milk production.
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0246258
https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13040671
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10071-023-01747-4
The physiological response to stressors
The physiological response to stressors is of great importance and its variation plays an adaptive role in the survival of individuals. We investigated the effect of stress axis activation on maternal behaviour in captive rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) during parturition. We conclude that higher cortisol levels detected in stress-sensitive does effectively disrupt the natural hormonal regulation involved in their nest-building processes.
Projects
