Zakład Anatomii Porównawczej

Address: Institute of Zoology, ul. Gronostajowa 9, 30-387 Kraków, room 2.68

Phone: +48 12 664 5059

E-mail: rafal.piprek@uj.edu.pl

Subject of research

mechanisms of gonad development in vertebrates
sex determination and sexual development
mechanisms of spermato- and oogenesis
anatomy and embryology of genitourinary system in vertebrates
a role of cell adhesion molecules in development
a role of extracellular matrix and metalloproteinases in development

The most important achievements

discovery of a role of retinoic acid in gametogenesis of anuran amphibians
studies on the influence of busulfan on gonad development in anuran amphibians
description of the gonad development in the yellow-bellied toad Bombina variegata
studies on the gonad structure and development in Discoglossus pictus
description of diversity of external gonad structure and metamery of developing gonads of anuran amphibians

Methods

light, confocal and electron microscopy
histological techniques
immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence, immunogold
Western blot
in vitro culture of cells, tissues and organs
fluorescence activated cell sorting (FACS)
methods of gene expression studies: real-time PCR, microarrays, RNA in situ hybridization
transgenic mice, reporter genes, genetic knockout
genotyping – PCR

Publications

Research publications

Mizia PC, Rams-Pociecha I, Podmokła E, Piprek RP* (2023) Histological analysis of early gonadal development in three bird species reveals gonad asymmetry from the beginning of gonadal ridge formation and a similar course of sex differentiation. Annals of Anatomy 250: 152151

Piprek RP*, Rams-Pociecha I, Mizia PC (2022) Historia naturalna osteoderm i innych skostnień oraz zwapnień skórnych czworonogów - struktura, rozwój, funkcja i ewolucja. Kosmos 71(4): 435-449

Kloc M, Uosef A, Subuddhi A, Kubiak JZ, Piprek RP, Ghobrial RM (2022) Giant multinucleated cells in aging and senescence - an abridgement. Biology 11: 1121

Dymek A, Piprek RP, Boroń A, Kirschbaum F, Pecio A (2022) Ovary structure and oogenesis in internally and externally fertilizing osteoglossiforms (Teleostei: Osteoglossomorpha). Acta Zool 103: 346-364

Tomaszewska A, Rustecka A, Lipińska-Opałka A, Piprek RP, Kloc M, Kalicki B, Kubiak JZ (2022) The role of vitamin D in COVID-19 and the impact of pandemic restrictions on vitamin D blood content. Front Pharmacol 13: 836738

Piprek RP, Rams-Pociecha I, Zdanowski R, Kloc M, Kubiak JZ (2022) Desmoplakin (Dsp) conditional knockout in NR5A1+ somatic cells affects germ cell survival in developing mouse gonads. Reproduction 163: 199-207

Piprek RP (2022) Historia naturalna łusek ryb - budowa, ewolucja i rozwój. Kosmos 70: 625-635

Dymek A, Pecio A, Piprek RP (2021) Diversity of Balbiani body formation in internally and externally fertilizing representatives of Osteoglossiformes (Teleostei: Osteoglossomorpha). J Morphol 282: 1313-1329

Piprek R, Kloc M, Mizia P, Kubiak JZ (2020) The central role of cadherins in gonad development, reproduction, and fertility. International Journal of Molecular Sciences 21: 8264

Pecio A, Piprek R (2020) Introduction to Histological Techniques. In: Formicki K, Kirschbaum F (eds) The Histology of Fishes, CRC Press

Kubiak JZ, Kloc M, Piprek RP (2020) History of the research on sex determination. Biomed J Sci & Tech Res 25: 2020

Piprek RP, Kubiak JZ (2020) Historia badań nad determinacją płci. Kosmos 68: 523-533

Piprek RP, Kolasa M, Podkowa D, Kloc M, Kubiak JZ (2019) N-cadherin is critical for the survival of germ cells, the formation of steroidogenic cells, and the architecture of developing mouse gonads. Cells 8: 1610

Piprek RP, Kubiak JZ (2019) Determinacja płci i rozwój gonad kury domowej. Kosmos 68: 389-398

Piprek RP, Kolasa M, Podkowa D, Kloc M, Kubiak JZ (2019) Tissue-specific knockout of E-cadherin (Cdh1) in developing mouse gonads causes germ cells loss. Reproduction158: 149-159

Piprek RP, Podkowa D, Kloc M, Kubiak JZ. (2019) Expression of primary cilia markers in developing mouse gonads. International Journal of Developmental Biology 63, 615-621

Piprek RP, Damulewicz M, Tassan JP, Kloc M, Kubiak JZ (2019) Transcriptome profiling reveals male- and female-specific gene expression pattern and novel gene candidates for the control of sex determination and gonad development in Xenopus laevis. Development Genes and Evolution 229: 53-72

Piprek RP, Kloc M, Kubiak JZ (2019) Matrix metalloproteinase-dependent regulation of extracellular matrix shapes the structure of sexually differentiating mouse gonads. Differentiation 106: 23-34

Piprek RP, Damulewicz M, Kloc M, Kubiak JZ (2018) Transcriptome analysis identifies genes involved in sex determination and development of Xenopus laevis gonads. Differentiation 100: 46-56

Piprek RP, Kolasa M, Podkowa D, Kloc M, Kubiak JZ (2018) Transcriptional profiling validates involvement of extracellular matrix and proteinases genes in mouse gonad development. Mechanisms of Development 149: 9-19

Piprek RP, Kloc M, Tassan JP, Kubiak JZ (2017) Development of Xenopus laevis bipotential gonads into testis or ovary is driven by sex-specific cell-cell interactions, proliferation rate, cell migration and deposition of extracellular matrix. Developmental Biology 432: 298-310

Piprek RP, Kolasa M, Podkowa D, Kloc M, Kubiak JZ (2017) Cell adhesion moleciles expression pat tern indicates that somatic cells arbitrate gonadal sex of differentiating bipotential fetal mouse gonad. Mechanism of Development 147: 17-27

Rozenblut-Kościsty B, Piprek R, Pecio A, Bartmańska J, Szymura JM, Ogielska M (2017) The structure of spermatogenic cysts and number of Sertoli cells in the testes of Bombina bombina and Bombina variegata (Bombinatoridae, Anura, Amphibia). Zoomorphology DOI 10.1007/s00435-017-0362-y

Piprek RP, Pecio A, Kloc M, Kubiak JZ, Szymura JM (2014) Evolutionary trend for metamery reduction and gonad shortening in Anurans revealed by comparison of gonad development. International Journal of Developmental Biology 58: 929-934

Piprek RP, Kloc M, Kubiak JZ (2014) Bidder’s organ – structure, development and function. International Journal of Developmental Biology 58: 819-827

Piprek RP, Kubiak JZ (2014) Development of Gonads, Sex Determination and Sex Reversal in Xenopus, w: Xenopus Development. Ed: M Kloc, JZ Kubiak, 199-214, Wiley-Blackwell

Piprek RP, Pecio A, Laskowska-Kaszub K, Kubiak JZ, Szymura JM (2013) Sexual dimorphism of AMH, DMRT1 and RSPO1 localization in developing gonads of six anuran species. International Journal of Developmental Biology 57: 871-875

Piprek RP, Pecio A, Szymura JM (2013) Modifications of the testis in response to sperm bundle formation in the Mediterranean painted frog Discoglossus pictus Otth, 1837 (Amphibia: Anura: Discoglossidae). Journal of Herpetology 47: 331-336

Piprek RP, Pecio A, Laskowska-Kaszub K, Kloc M, Kubiak JZ, Szymura JM (2013) Retinoic acid homeostasis regulates meiotic entry in developing anuran gonads and in Bidder’s organ through Raldh2 and Cyp26b1 proteins. Mechanisms of Development 130: 613-627

Piprek RP, Pecio A, Kubiak JZ, Szymura JM (2012) Differential effects of testosterone and 17β-estradiol on gonad development in five anuran species. Reproduction 144: 257-267

Piprek RP, Pecio A, Kubiak JZ, Szymura JM (2012) Differential effects of busulfan on gonadal development in five divergent anuran species. Reproductive Toxicology 34: 393-401

Piprek RP (2012) Zależne od płci różnice w budowie mózgu. Kosmos 60: 323-331

Piprek RP (2011) Morfologiczne zróżnicowanie plemników wśród płazów bezogonowych. Kosmos 60: 81-87

Piprek RP (2010) Rozwój gonad oraz struktury homologiczne i szczątkowe układu rozrodczego kręgowców. Przegląd Zoologiczny 52-54: 99-111

Piprek RP (2010) Molecular machinery of gonadal differentiation in mammals. International Journal of Developmental Biology 54: 779-786

Piprek RP, Pecio A, Szymura JM (2010) Differentiation and development of gonads in the yellow-bellied toad, Bombina variegata L. 1758 (Amphibia: Anura: Bombinatoridae). Zoological Science 27: 47-55

Piprek RP (2010) Metody zapłodnienia in vitro. Wszechświat 111: 102-105

Piprek RP (2010) Determinacja płci komórek germinalnych – molekularny mechanizm indukcji mejozy. Medycyna Rodzinna 2/2010: 30-36

Piprek RP (2009) Genetic mechanisms underlying male sex determination in mammals. Journal of Applied Genetics 50: 347-360

Piprek RP (2009) Molecular mechanisms underlying female sex determination – antagonism between female and male pathway. Folia Biologica 57: 105-113

Piprek RP (2009) Czym jest płeć i co ją determinuje? Wszechświat 110: 58-62

Piprek RP (2008) Genetyczne podłoże zaburzeń determinacji płci i rozwoju gonad. Endokrynologia Polska 59: 502-514

Piprek RP (2007) Genetyczne mechanizmy determinacji płci i różnicowania gonad ssaków. Kosmos 56: 39-48

Piprek RP (2007) Jak powstaje mężczyzna, czyli współczesny pogląd na determinację i różnicowanie płci męskiej. Wszechświat 108: 274-277

Conference communications

Piprek RP, Kolasa M, Podkowa D, Kloc M, Kubiak JZ (2019) Tissue-specific knockout of E-cadherin (Cdh1) and N-cadherin (Cdh2) during gonads development in the mouse. IV Zjazd Naukowy Polskiego Towarzystwa Biologii Medycznej, Szczawnica

Piprek RP (2018) Origin and differentiation of somatic cells in the male gonad. The European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE) Congress, Barcelona

Piprek RP, Kloc M, Kubiak JZ (2017) Zastosowanie myszy transgenicznych i sortowania komórek w badaniach nad mechanizmami rozwoju gonad. III Zjazd Polskiego Towarzystwa Biologii Medycznej, Jurata

Pipek RP, Podkowa D, Kubiak JZ (2016) Global analysis of cell adhesion genes in sexually differentiating gonads of mouse. Acta Biologica Cracoviensia 58, 49

Pipek RP, Pecio A, Kubiak JZ, Szymura JM (2015) Cell proliferation and migration during gonad development in anuran amphibians. (materials from Seventh International Symposium on the Vertebrate Sex Determination, Kona, Hawaii)

Piprek RP, Pecio A, Kubiak JZ, Szymura JM (2012) Retinoic acid and meiosis induction during gonadal development in seven frog species. (materiały Sixth International Symposium on the Vertebrate Sex Determination, Kona, Hawaii)

Piprek RP, Pecio A, Kubiak JZ, Szymura JM (2012) Retinoic acid and meiosis induction during gonadal development in Anura. Acta Biologica Cracoviensia. 54: 38

Piprek RP, Pecio A, Szymura JM (2011) Komórkowe mechanizmy rozwoju gonad płazów bezogonowych (Anura). materiały PTZooL Szczecin

Piprek RP, Pecio A, Szymura JM (2010) Diversity of gonadal morphogenesis in anuran amphibians. Acta Biologica Cracoviensia 52: 80

Piprek RP, Pecio A, Szymura JM (2009) Development of gonads in Bombina variegata (Amphibia: Anura: Bombinatoridae) indicates a contribution of sex determination heterochrony to the course of testiculogenesis. (materiały Fifth International Symposium on the Vertebrate Sex Determination, Kona, Hawaii)

Piprek RP (2007) Is there a universal model of vertebrate sex determination? str. 75 (w: Streszczenia II Polskiego Kongresu Genetyki, SGGW Warszawa)

Pecio A, Piprek R, Ogielska M, Bartmańska J, Szymura JM (2007) Evidence for Sertoli cells in the testes of Bombina variegata (Anura: Bombinatoridae). Journal of Morphology 268: 1116

Pecio A, Piprek R, Szymura JM, Ogielska M, Bartmańska J (2006) Czy rzeczywiście w jądrach kumaków, Bombina brak komórek Sertoliego? str. 88-90 (w: „Biologia płazów i gadów – ochrona herpetofauny”. red. Zamachowski W) Wydawnictwo Naukowe Akademii Pedagogicznej, Kraków

Scientific cooperation

CNRS, UMR 6290, Institute of Genetics and Development of Rennes, Cell Cycle Group, Francja
Université Rennes 1, UEB, UMS Biosit, Faculty of Medicine, Rennes, Francja
Department of Surgery, The Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, USA
The Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, USA