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Blue-and-yellow macaw © Arielle Beraud

Press release

22 Aug 2018

Macaws that blush: facial expressions demonstrated for the first time in birds

In order to carry out studies of facial behavioural indicators, INRA scientists teamed up with the Beauval Zoo to look at blue-and-yellow macaws (Ara ararauna), who have the distinctive characteristic of having a portion of their cheeks devoid of feathers. During their experiment, the scientists were able to describe for the first time facial expressions in the birds within a context of positive valence: the macaws blushed and ruffled their crown feathers.

Curious cows. © INRA, MAITRE Christophe

Press release

19 Feb 2018

An integrated infrastructure in the European cattle sector is born!

INRA, the French National Institute for Agricultural Research, won the call for the European project INFRA-IA, for its proposal of integrating research infrastructures (RIs) for increased research capability and innovation in the European cattle sector: SmartCow. The kick off meeting of this infrastructure will take place in Clermont-Ferrand, from February 19 to 21 2018.

Press release

05 Apr 2017

Launch of VetBioNet – a European project to combat animal infectious diseases

The overall objective of the European infrastructure project VetBioNet is to establish a comprehensive network of pre-eminent high-containment research facilities, academic institutes, international organizations and industry partners that is dedicated to advance research on epizootic and zoonotic diseases and to promote technological developments.

The first ever cloned calves, in INRA’s Developmental Biology and Reproduction research unit in Jouy en Josas. © INRA, PAILLARD Gérard

Press release

09 Dec 2016

Low birth rate after cloning: the consequences of highly disruptive interactions between uterus and embryo

When comparing cloned animal embryos and embryos that come about as a result of artificial insemination, there is a difference in gene expression at the moment implantation occurs in the uterus for more than 5 000 genes. Researchers at INRA and the University of California are shining the spotlight on this critical step for the survival of cloned embryos in cattle. Published in the 8 December 2016 issue of the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, these findings are furthering knowledge of hitherto poorly-understood mechanisms that govern interactions between cloned embryos and the uterus. They may hold the key to improving cloning in mammals.

Traffic on a motorway. © INRA, MAITRE Christophe

Press release

28 Jul 2016

Diesel engine air pollution: effects on foetuses for two generations

Initial findings from a research project* coordinated by INRA show that in animals, chronic exposure of pregnant mothers to exhaust from diesel engines fitted with a particulate filter (such as those in cars sold in Europe) lead to deleterious effects on the growth and metabolism of first- and second-generation foetuses. Scientists also have evidence, for the first time ever, that nanoparticles from inhaled diesel exhaust can cross the placenta and reach foetal blood.

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