International collaboration: Belgian student expedites work on his PhD at UPWr

Guillaume's PhD focuses on making semen freezing more efficient in dogs. Right now, about 50 - 60% of dogs will get pregnant after insemination with frozen-thawed semen. The use of frozen semen is therefore not the preferred method for breeders as a female dog is only in heat twice a year and breeds between 2 and 6 (10) years of age. However, the use of frozen semen has many advantages, especially for the genetic diversity in dogs. Importing frozen semen from outside the EU (which is the only method available) would enlarge the genetic pool of purebred dogs and decrease genetic diseases amongst dogs.

– Currently, only semen of good quality can be frozen efficiently. This is of course a pity because some dogs might have great DNA but their semen quality prevents efficient cryopreservation. This is the main reason why I'm dedicating my research to improving sperm freezing, regardless of the initial sperm quality – explains Guillaume.

At his university, Domain was not able to examine a sufficient number of patients, this is why he came to Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences. Prof. Wojciech Niżański, a supervisor at UPWr Doctoral School, who’s helping Guillaume during his time at UPWr explains why: – At Ghent University, Guillaume had too few patients, so work on his PhD slowed down considerably. We, on the other hand, have great relationships with breeders. Annually, we have as many as 4.5 thousand gynecological and andrological patients. We also have a more active sperm bank, great equipment and we can offer the help of our entire team. In Ghent, Guillaume worked alone. So by working with our scientists, and having more patients to collect samples from, Guillaume will be able to speed up the work on his PhD.

– Reproduction is a great field of veterinary medicine in terms of networking and collaboration. I have the impression that we all know each other and we all work together – laughs Domain, saying that once a year, specialists organize a meeting to present results of various studies and to discuss interesting cases and further research.

– Prof. Niżański knows my supervisor, Prof. Ann Van Soom, hence I was offered this possibility as part of the NAWA project, which is coordinated by him. I really wanted to come to Poland because I think it differs slightly from other Western countries. Which is also what made me like it a lot. I’m on a tight schedule but it feels a little like a holiday! I also wanted to gain new contacts. Networking is very important to me and traveling helps me to grow, which makes my research better. Here in Wrocław, for example, I learned about different sperm freezing techniques than in Belgium - says Guillaume, adding that although his next exchange will take place in Paris, he was more excited about the possibility of coming to Wrocław, because the city intrigued him more than the French capital, which, as a Belgian, he visits quite often. His supervisor also strongly recommended Prof. Niżański’s help and the UPWr lab.

Currently, Guillaume Domain has a four year grant to carry out his PhD and will start soon his third year. That is why coming to Wrocław and expediting the work on his PhD was important to him. In addition to his PhD, Guillaume is also a resident at the European college of animal reproduction (ECAR) to become a specialist in the reproduction of small animals. 

– After getting my PhD, I would like to work in a private practice as a specialist in reproduction. But I will never completely drop research because it is something I really enjoy too. Therefore I would be more than happy to collaborate with Prof. Ann Van Soom in new scientific work in the future.  

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