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:
animal behavior population genetics animal genetics stress

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.

https://doi.org/10.3390/ani10091579


Projects

Dr. Ildikó Benedek
Institute of Animal Sciences
Campus address: H-7400 Kaposvár, Guba Sándor str. 40.
benedek.ildiko@uni-mate.hu
benedek.ildiko@uni-mate.hu

MTMT: 10062321
Scopus: 54889670500