Research Team: Zespół Fizjologii i Toksykologii

Place of Work: Instytut Rozrodu Zwierząt i Badań Żywności PAN w Olsztynie

Keywords: rozród, progesteron, błonowe receptory

Research Focus:

I am a graduate of the Faculty of Animal Bioengineering at the University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Poland, where I completed both my Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Animal Science. During my studies, I pursued two specializations: Breeding and Rearing of Companion Animals (BSc) and Biotechnology in Animal Breeding (MSc), which provided me with a broad knowledge of animal husbandry, reproduction, and the application of modern biotechnological techniques in animal breeding.

Currently, I am a PhD student and a member of the Physiology and Toxicology Research Team at the Institute of Animal Reproduction and Food Research of the Polish Academy of Sciences (IRZiBŻ PAN) in Olsztyn. My scientific work focuses on issues related to the reproductive physiology of cattle, particularly the role of membrane progesterone receptors in the regulation of uterine function.

The aim of my doctoral research is to determine the specific functions of membrane progesterone receptors – PGRMC1, PGRMC2, PAQR7, and PAQR8 – and their involvement in the regulation of uterine function in cows. My research seeks to deepen the understanding of alternative progesterone signaling pathways and their potential significance in reproductive physiology and pathology, which may ultimately contribute to improving reproductive efficiency in dairy cattle herds.

List of publications and participations:

Mówińska, A., Rękawiecki, R., Zając, P., & Kowalik, M.K. (2025). Phoenixin-14 and its receptor GPR173 in the bovine endometrium: Expression and regulation during the estrous cycle and impact on secretory activity. Theriogenology, 117456.

Wojciechowska, A. M., Zając, P., Gogola-Mruk, J., Kowalik, M. K., & Ptak, A. (2024). Myo-inositol and D-chiro-inositol reduce DHT-stimulated changes in the steroidogenic activity of adult granulosa cell tumors. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 25(20), 10974.

Rekawiecki, R., Wrobel, M. H., Zajac, P., Serej, O., & Kowalik, M. K. (2023). Luteotropic and luteolytic factors modulate the expression of nuclear receptor coregulators in bovine luteal cells independently of histone acetyltransferase and histone deacetylase activities. Animals, 13(17), 2784.