Reproductive Biology and Toxicology Group - Detailed - Institute of Genetics and Biotechnology
Reproductive Biology and Toxicology Group
Reproductive Biology and Toxicology Group - Detailed
Last modified: 13. October 2025
The Reproductive Biology and Toxicology Group of the Institute of Genetics and Biotechnology, Department of Animal Biotechnology of the Hungarian University of Agricultural and Life Sciences (MATE) plays an important role in the research of reproductive biology processes and environmental toxicology.
The group focuses on two main areas:
on the one hand, the genetic and physiological background of the relevant reproductive process disorders under investigation
on the other hand, the investigation of the toxic effects and disorders of persistent pollutants from the environment, especially certain mycotoxins and other endocrine disruptors, mainly on the above reproductive processes.
In addition, as applied research, the group develops immunoanalytical procedures (which can also be used in the above research) for various food safety-related issues, mainly related to mycotoxins, and, if necessary, binding agents (immunoglobulins, antibodies) that can be used in similar procedures.
During their work, the laboratory has already adapted, for example, the development, characterization, and applications of polyclonal, egg yolk-localizable avian immunoglobulin (IgY).
IgY can be used not only for detection or prophylaxis but also for other applications (e.g., neutralization, inactivation, and/or extraction of environmental pollutants, which are also the focus of the working group).
Group Members and Their Main Research Areas
The group consists of dynamic and diverse colleagues, experienced researchers, and young PhD students.
Dr. Zsuzsanna Szőke is a senior research fellow, group leader
Her research primarily focuses on reproductive biology and mycotoxicology. She investigates the effects of endocrine disruptors, especially certain mycotoxins, on reproductive processes and the accumulation and analysis of mycotoxins in animal tissues and organs. During his work, he dealt with the etiology of antler diseases in fallow deer and the presence of various mycotoxins in wild animals such as fallow deer and golden jackals. She also participates in the development of IgY-based immunoassays, which are mainly used to detect mycotoxins in animal samples.
Dr. György Nagyéri, Senior Research Fellow
In addition to the above, he develops immunoanalytical procedures mainly for food safety relevance (mycotoxins, residues, hormones, pathogens, etc.) and, if necessary, the binding agents (antibodies) to be used with them.
Under his leadership, the laboratory has adapted to the development, characterization, and applications of polyclonal IgY. IgY can be used not only in detection or prophylaxis, but also in other applications (e.g. for neutralization, inactivation and/or extraction of environmental pollutants, which are also the focus of the working group's interest). She also participates in the development of unique measurement procedures
Zsófia Molnár, research assistant (PhD student)
Her research contributes to both antibody development and reproductive biology-toxicology projects, thus assisting laboratory work.
Patrik Plank (PhD student)
Her research focuses on milk analytical developments and issues.
Dóra Holeci (PhD student):
Her research area is toxicology-reproductive biology, in which she investigates the effects of environmental toxins on the female reproductive system.
Dr. Katalin Sára Popovics (PhD student)
She strengthens the team in the fields of toxicology and microbiology, and her research focuses on the effects of environmental pollutants on the microbiome composition of the reproductive system.
István Lakatos volunteer, regional chief hunter
Research area: antler stem disease and reproductive biology problems in cervids.
Anikó Pálfiné Lábadi (PhD student)
Her research focuses on the interaction between the food choices of fallow deer and mycotoxin contamination.
The Reproductive Biology and Toxicology Group is internationally recognized and works closely with other domestic and foreign research institutes and universities.
Publications:
Adrienn Gréta Tóth, Sára Ágnes Nagy, István Lakatos, Norbert Solymosi, Anikó Stágel, Melinda Paholcsek, Katalin Posta, Patrik Gömbös, Szilamér Ferenczi, Zsuzsanna Szőke. Impact of Mycotoxins and Glyphosate residue on the Gut Microbiome and Resistome of European Fallow Deer. iScience. 2025. 113539. doi: 10.1016/j.isci.2025.113539.
Ferenczi S, Juhász B, Végi B, Drobnyák Á, Horváth K, Kuti D, Bata-Vidács I, Plank P, Molnár Z, Szőke Z, Kovács KJ. Gut-testis axis in roosters: Lactiplantibacillus plantarum supplementation improves reproductive performance. Poult Sci. 2025 Jul;104(7):105141. doi: 10.1016/j.psj.2025.105141. Epub 2025 Apr 5. PMID: 40315587; PMCID: PMC12098141.
Sükösd F, Lakatos I, Ürmös Á, Karkas R, Sükösd Á, Palánki G, Arany Tóth A, Erdélyi K, Misó M, Gőbölös P, Posta K, Kovács F, Ferenczi S, Horváth G, Szemethy L, Szőke Z. When Antlers Grow Abnormally: A Hidden Disease Behind Common Cervid Trophy Deformities, Introducing Pedunculitis Chronica Deformans. Animals (Basel). 2025 May 23;15(11):1530. doi: 10.3390/ani15111530. PMID: 40508998; PMCID: PMC12153838.
Fehér P, Molnár Z, Pálfi MP, Pálfiné Lábadi A, Plank P, Lakatos I, Heltai M, Szemethy L, Stéger V, Szőke Z. The Initial Detection of Mycotoxins Released and Accumulated in the Golden Jackal (Canis aureus): Investigating the Potential of Carnivores as Environmental Bioindicators. Int J Mol Sci. 2025 Apr 16;26(8):3755. doi: 10.3390/ijms26083755. PMID: 40332407; PMCID: PMC12027561.
Papp PP, Hoffmann OI, Libisch B, Keresztény T, Gerőcs A, Posta K, Hiripi L, Hegyi A, Gócza E, Szőke Z, Olasz F. Effects of Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) Microplastic Particles on Gut Microbiota Composition and Health Status in Rabbit Livestock. Int J Mol Sci. 2024 Nov 25;25(23):12646. doi: 10.3390/ijms252312646. PMID: 39684357; PMCID: PMC11641588.
Unicsovics M, Molnár Z, Mézes M, Posta K, Nagyéri G, Várbíró S, Ács N, Sára L, Szőke Z. The Possible Role of Mycotoxins in the Pathogenesis of Endometrial Cancer. Toxins (Basel). 2024 May 23;16(6):236. doi: 10.3390/toxins16060236. PMID: 38922131; PMCID: PMC11209310.
Lakatos I, Babarczi B, Molnár Z, Tóth A, Skoda G, Horváth GF, Horváth A, Tóth D, Sükösd F, Szemethy L, Szőke Z. First Results on the Presence of Mycotoxins in the Liver of Pregnant Fallow Deer (Dama dama) Hinds and Fetuses. Animals (Basel). 2024 Mar 28;14(7):1039. doi: 10.3390/ani14071039. PMID: 38612278; PMCID: PMC11011066.
Szőke Z, Babarczi B, Mézes M, Lakatos I, Poór M, Fliszár-Nyúl E, Oldal M, Czéh Á, Bodó K, Nagyéri G, Ferenczi S. Analysis and Comparison of Rapid Methods for the Determination of Ochratoxin a Levels in Organs and Body Fluids Obtained from Exposed Mice. Toxins (Basel). 2022 Sep 13;14(9):634. doi: 10.3390/toxins14090634. PMID: 36136572; PMCID: PMC9503121.
Czéh Á, Mézes M, Mandy F, Szőke Z, Nagyéri G, Laufer N, Kőszegi B, Koczka T, Kunsági-Máté S, Lustyik G. Flow cytometry based rapid duplexed immunoassay for fusarium mycotoxins. Cytometry A. 2017 Feb;91(2):190-196. doi: 10.1002/cyto.a.23018. Epub 2016 Nov 7. PMID: 28222253.
Ferenczi S, Kuti D, Cserháti M, Krifaton C, Szoboszlay S, Kukolya J, Szőke Z, Albert M, Kriszt B, Kovács KJ, Mézes M, Balogh K. Effects of Single and Repeated Oral Doses of Ochratoxin A on the Lipid Peroxidation and Antioxidant Defense Systems in Mouse Kidneys. Toxins (Basel). 2020 Nov 22;12(11):732. doi: 10.3390/toxins12110732. PMID: 33266415; PMCID: PMC7700583.
Grants won, projects, collaborations
Richter Gedeon Plc. Project (RG-IPI-2023-TP17/026) The Role of Mycotoxins in Certain Human Gynecological Diseases
• OTKA Grant NKFI K 132687 Investigation of Changes Caused by Microplastic Particles Entering the Body in the Composition of Gut Microbiota and in Health Status in Rabbit Livestock
• National Laboratory (RRF-2.3.1-21-2022-00007)
Group members
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Dr. Ferencziné Dr. Szőke, Zsuzsanna senior research fellow, group leader |
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Dr. Nagyéri, György, senior research fellow |
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Zsófia Molnár, research assistant, PhD student E-mail: Molnar.Zsofia.7@phd.uni-mate.hu |
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Anikó Pálfiné Lábadi, PhD hallgató |
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Dóra Holéci, PhD student |
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dr. Katalin Sára-Popovic, PhD student |
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Patrik Plank, PhD student E-mail: Plank.Patrik@phd.uni-mate.hu |
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Tamás János Kindrat, MSc student |
Sándor Egedi, laboratory manager, 2016 - |
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