Dr. Susanne Holtze

BioRescue – Forschrittliche Reproduktionstechnologien zur Rettung von stark gefährdeten Säugetieren wie dem nördlichen Breitmaulnashorn

Der Nacktmull - Eine alternative Modelltierart für die biomedizinische Alternsforschung

Auf dem Weg zur nächsten Stufe des Biobankings

Computertomographie in Wildtiermedizin und -forschung für den Artenschutz

Frozen Dumbo – Erste umfangreiche Samenbank für wilde afrikanische Elefanten und andere bedrohte Tierarten

• Reproduktionsmanagement
• Reproduktionsbiologie und -medizin
• Assistierte Reproduktion (ART)
• Nacktmullphysiologie
• Alternsforschung
• Bildgebende Verfahren (Ultraschalldiagnostik, CT)

Hildebrandt TB*, Holtze S*, Biasetti P, Bohner J, Cizmar D, Colleoni S, de Mori B, Diecke S, Galli C, Hayashi K, Hofreiter M, Kangethe F, Korody ML, Lekolool I, Ndereeh D, Kariuki L, Lazzari G, Mijele D, Mutisya S, Ngulu S, Omondi P, Seet S, Zywitza V, Stejskal J, Goeritz F. De-extinction of the Northern White Rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum cottoni). J. Reprod. Dev. 72: 87–94, 2026. https://doi.org/10.1262/jrd.2025-122

Holtze S, Templeton AR, Strassmann JE, Koch R and Begall S. (2026). Special issue on “Biology of African mole-rats”: a tribute to Stan Braude. Mammalian Biology, 1-8. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42991-026-00575-6

Mathgen X, Busse P, Fasel NJ, Kravchenko K, Scheuerlein A, Holtze S and Fritze M. (2026). Reproductive timing in bats: evidence of spring mating following hibernation. Mammalian Biology, 1-13. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42991-026-00581-8

Wetzel M, Holtze S, Hofer H and Hildebrandt TB. (2026). Context-dependent vaginal perforation in subordinate female naked mole-rats (Heterocephalus glaber): insights into reproductive plasticity and social modulation. Mammalian Biology, pp.1-14. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42991-025-00520-z

Holtze S, Demirtürk D, Ohlenschläger O, Hegele S, Siniuk K, Förste S, Raghavan V, Groth M, Bens M, Hassel N and Martel A. (2025). The transcriptome of the olm provides insights into its evolution and gene expression. Scientific reports, 15(1), p.28324. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-10073-3

Geltinger F, Holtze S, Hildebrandt TB, Ochs M and Brandenberger C. (2025). Stereological analysis of the naked mole-rat Heterocephalus glaber lung provides evidence of altered surfactant function and late alveolarization. American Journal of Physiology-Lung Cellular and Molecular Physiology. https://doi.org/10.1152/ajplung.00246.2024

Heise O, Pottek T, Buss P, de Klerk-Lorist LM, Eigen L, Holtze S, Fritsch G, Göritz F, Wibbelt G, Hildebrandt T and Brecht M. (2025). Trunk Tip Wear in Wild African Savanna Elephants. Integrative and Comparative Biology, p.icaf020. https://doi.org/10.1093/pnasnexus/pgaf141

Hildebrandt TB and Holtze S. (2024). Advanced assisted reproduction technologies in endangered mammalian species. Reproduction in Domestic Animals, 59, p.e14700. https://doi.org/10.1111/rda.14700

Simone R, Čižmár D, Holtze S, Mulot B, Lamglait B, Knauf-Witzens T, Weigold A, Hermes R and Hildebrandt TB. (2024). Cryopreservation of okapi (Okapia johnstoni) oocytes following in vitro maturation. Theriogenology Wild, 4, p.100088. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.therwi.2024.100088

Simone R, Čižmár D, Holtze S, Michel G, Sporbert A, Okolo C, Hildebrandt TB. (2023). In vitro production of naked mole-rats’ blastocysts from non-breeding females using in vitro maturation and intracytoplasmic sperm injection. Scientific Reports. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-49661-6

Fasel NJ, Jeucken J, Kravchenko K, Fritze M, Ruczyński I, Komar E, Moiseienko M, Shulenko A, Vlaschenko A, Christe P, Glaizot O, Holtze S. Mating without intromission in a bat. Current Biology. 2023 Nov 20;33(22):R1182-3. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cub.2023.09.054

Hildebrandt TB*, Holtze S*, Colleoni S*, Hermes R, Stejskal J, Lekolool I, Ndeereh D, Omondi P, Kariuki L, Mijele D, Mutisya S, Ngulu S, Diecke S, Hayashi K, Lazzari G, de Mori B, Biasetti P, Quaggio A, Galli C, Goeritz F. (2023). In vitro fertilization program in white rhinoceros. Reproduction.166:383-399. https://doi.org/10.1530/REP-23-0087. https://doi.org/10.1530/REP-23-0087

Holtze S, Gruetzmacher K, Prylutska A. (2023). Animal Ethics in Times of Crisis. Journal of Applied Animal Ethics Research, 5(1), 1-3. https://doi.org/10.1163/25889567-05010100

Gerhardt P, Begall S, Frädrich C., Renko K, Hildebrandt TB, Holtze S, Heinrich A, Sahm A, Xheni M, Köhrle J, Rijntjes E, Henning Y. (2023). Comparative analysis of thyroid hormone systems in rodents with subterranean lifestyle. Scientific Reports, 13, 3122. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-30179-w

Braude S, Holtze S, Bennett NC, Begall S. (2022). Editorial: Recent advances in the ecology and evolution of the Bathyergidae. Front. Ecol. Evol. 10:1017185. https://doi.org/10.3389/fevo.2022.1017185

Szafranski K, Wetzel M, Holtze S, Büntjen I, Lieckfeldt D, Ludwig A, Huse K, Platzer M, Hildebrandt TB. (2022). The mating pattern of captive naked mole-rats is best described by a monogamy model. Frontiers Ecology and Evolution 10, 1-9. https://doi.org/10.3389/fevo.2022.855688

Vays V, Vangely I, Eldarov C, Holtze S, Hildebrandt T, Bakeeva L, Skulachev V. (2021). Progressive reorganization of mitochondrial apparatus in aging skeletal muscle of naked mole rats (Heterocephalus glaber) as revealed by electron microscopy: potential role in continual maintenance of muscle activity. Aging (Albany NY). 13:24524-24541. doi: 10.18632/aging.203720. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms23169067

Holtze S, Gorshkova E, Braude S, Cellerino A, Dammann P, Hildebrandt TB, ]Hoeflich A, Hoffmann S, Koch P, Terzibasi Tozzini E, Skulachev M, Skulachev VP, Sahm A. (2021). Alternative animal models of aging research. Frontiers in Molecular Biosciences, 8, 311. Accepted for publication 08.04.2021. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmolb.2021.660959

Hildebrandt TB, Hermes R, Goeritz F, Appeltant R, Colleoni S, de Mori B, Diecke S, Drukker M, Galli C, Hayashi K, Lazzari G, Loi P, Payne J, Renfree M, Seet S, Stejskal J, Swegen A, Williams SA, Zainuddin ZZ, Holtze S. (2021). The ART of bringing extinction to a freeze - History and future of species conservation, exemplified by rhinos. Theriogenology. 169:76-88. doi: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2021.04.006. Epub 2021 Apr 18. PMID: 33940218. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.theriogenology.2021.04.006

Zucca P, Rossmann MC, Dodic M, Ramma Y, Matsushima T, Seet S, Holtze S, Bremini A, Fischinger I, Morosetti G, Sitzia M, Furlani R, Greco O, Meddi G, Zambotto P, Meo F, Pulcini S, Palei M, Zamaro G. (2021). What Do Adolescents Know About One-Health and Zoonotic Risks? A School-Based Survey in Italy, Austria, Germany, Slovenia, Mauritius, and Japan. Front Public Health. 9:658876. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2021.658876

Del Marmol D, Holtze S, Kichler N, Sahm A, Bihin B, Bourguignon V, Dogné S, Szafranski K, Hildebrandt TB, Flamion B. (2021). Abundance and size of hyaluronan in naked mole-rat tissues and plasma. Scientific Reports 11,7951. doi: 10.1038/s41598-021-86967-9. PMID: 33846452. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-86967-9

Hildebrandt TB*, Holtze S*, Biasetti P, Colleoni S, de Mori B, Diecke S, Göritz F, Hayashi K, Hayashi M, Hermes R, Kariuki L, Lazzari G, Mijele D, Mutisya S, Ndeereh D, Ngulu S, Seet S, Zwilling J, Zywitza V, Stejskal J, Galli C. (2021). Conservation Research in Times of COVID-19–The Rescue of the Northern White Rhino. J APPL ANIM ETH RES. 20,1–22. doi:10.1163/25889567-BJA10009. https://doi.org/10.1163/25889567-BJA10009

de Mori B, Spiriti MM, Pollastri I, Normando S, Biasetti P, Florio D, Andreucci F, Colleoni S, Galli C, Göritz F, Hermes R, Holtze S, Lazzari G, Seet S, Zwilling J, Stejskal J, Mutisya S, Ndeereh D, Ngulu S, Vigne R, Hildebrandt TB. (2021). An Ethical Assessment Tool (ETHAS) to Evaluate the Application of Assisted Reproductive Technologies in Mammals’ Conservation: The Case of the Northern White Rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum cottoni). ANIMALS. 11, 312. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11020312

Walz M, Höflich C, Walz C, Ohde D, Brenmoehl J, Sawitzky M, Vernunft A, Zettl UK, Holtze S, Hildebrandt TB, Wolf E, Hoeflich A. (2021). Development of a Sensitive Bioassay for the Analysis of IGF-Related Activation of AKT/mTOR Signaling in Biological Matrices. Cells 10, 482. doi: 10.3390/cells10030482. PMID: 33668197; PMCID: PMC7995968. https://doi.org/10.3390/cells10030482

Braude S*, Holtze S*, Begall S, Brenmoehl J, Burda H, Dammann P, Del Marmol D, Gorshkova E, Henning Y, Hoeflich A, Höhn A, Jung T, Hamo D, Sahm A, Shebzukhov Y, Šumbera R, Miwa S, Vyssokikh MY, von Zglinicki T, Averina O, Hildebrandt TB. (2021). Surprisingly long survival of premature conclusions about naked mole-rat biology. BIOL REV CAMB PHILOS SOC 96, 376–393. https://doi.org/10.1111/brv.12660

Holtze S, Koch R, Hildebrandt TB, Lemma A, Szafranski K, Platzer M, Alemayehu F, Goeritz F, Braude S. (2020). Hematologic adaptation to the subterranean environment by the naked mole-rat, Heterocephalus glaber (Ctenohystrica: Heterocephalidae). J MAMMAL. 101, 1000-9. https://doi.org/10.1093/jmammal/gyaa053

Braude S, Holtze S, Hildebrandt T, Koch R. (2020). Naked mole‐rats do not disperse or deliver pups in correlation with moon phase. AFR J ECOL, 00, 1–4. https://doi.org/10.1111/aje.12721

Eldarov CM, Vangely IM, Vays VB, Sheval EV, Holtze S, Hildebrandt TB, Kolosova NG, Popkov VA, Plotnikov EY, Zorov DB, Bakeeva LE, Skulachev VP. (2020). Mitochondria in the Nuclei of Rat Myocardial Cells. CELLS 9, 712. https://doi.org/10.3390/cells9030712

Vyssokikh MY, Holtze S, Averina OA, Lyamzaev KG, Panteleeva AA, Marey MV, Zinovkin RA, Severin FF, Skulachev MV, Fasel N, Hildebrandt TB, Skulachev VP. (2020). Mild depolarization of the inner mitochondrial membrane is a crucial component of an anti-aging program. PNAS, 117, 6491-6501. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1916414117

Carmeli-Ligati S, Shipov A, Dumont M, Holtze S, Hildebrandt T, Shahar R (2019). The structure, composition and mechanical properties of the skeleton of the naked mole-rat (Heterocephalus glaber). BONE. 128:115035. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bone.2019.115035

Shebzukhov Y, Holtze S, Hirseland H, Schäfer H, Radbruch A, Hildebrandt T, Grützkau A (2019). Identification of cross‐reactive antibodies for the detection of lymphocytes, myeloid cells and haematopoietic precursors in the naked mole rat. EUR J IMMUNOL. https://doi.org/10.1002/eji.201948124

Hermes R, Hildebrandt TB, Göritz F, Fasel NJ, Holtze S (2019). First cryopreservation of phyllostomid bat sperm. THERIOGENOLOGY. 131:28-31. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.theriogenology.2019.03.014

Bens M, Szafranski K, Holtze S, Sahm A, Groth M, Kestler HA, Hildebrandt TB, Platzer M (2018). Naked mole-rat transcriptome signatures of socially-suppressed sexual maturation and links of reproduction to aging. BMC BIOL. 16:77. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12915-018-0546-z

Hildebrandt TB, Hermes R, Colleoni S, Diecke S, Holtze S, Renfree M, Stejskal J, Hayashi K, Drukker M, Loi P, Göritz F, Lazzari G, Galli C (2018). Embryos and embryonic stem cells from the white rhinoceros. NAT COMMUN 9:2589. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-018-04959-2

Holtze S, Lukač M, Cizelj I, Mutschmann F, Szentiks CA, Jelić D, Hermes R, Göritz F, Braude S, Hildebrandt TB (2017). Monitoring health and reproductive status of olms (Proteus anguinus) by ultrasound. PLOS ONE, 12(8), e0182209. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0182209

Skulachev VP*, Holtze S*, Vyssokikh MY, Bakeeva LE, Skulachev MV, Markov AV, Hildebrandt TB**, Sadovnichii VA** (2017). Neoteny, Prolongation of Youth: From Naked Mole Rats to "Naked Apes" (Humans). PHYSIOL REV, 97:699-720. https://doi.org/10.1152/physrev.00040.2015

Holtze S, Braude S, Lemma A, Koch R, Morhart M, Szafranski K, Platzer M, Alemayehu F, Goeritz F, Hildebrandt TB (2017). The microenvironment of naked mole-rat burrows in East Africa. AFR J ECOL 56, 279-289. https://doi.org/10.1111/aje.12448

Saragusty J, Diecke S, Drukker M, Durrant B, Friedrich Ben-Nun I, Galli C, Göritz F, Hayashi K, Hermes R, Holtze S, Johnson S, Lazzari G, Loi P, Loring J, Okita K, Renfree M, Seet S, Voracek T, Stejskal J, Ryder OA, Hildebrandt TB (2016). Rewinding the process of mammalian extinction. ZOO BIOL, 35, 280-292. https://doi.org/10.1002/zoo.21284

Holtze S, Eldarov CM, Vays VB, Vangeli IM, Vysokikh MY, Bakeeva LE, Skulachev VP, Hildebrandt TB (2016). Study of Age-Dependent Structural and Functional Changes of Mitochondria in Skeletal Muscles and Heart of Naked Mole Rats (Heterocephalus glaber). BIOCHEMISTRY (Mosc). 81,429-1437. https://doi.org/10.1134/S000629791612004X

Amitai O*, Holtze S*, Barkan S*, Amichai E*, Korine C, Pinshow B, Voigt CC. (2010). Fruit bats (Pteropodidae) fuel their metabolism rapidly and directly with exogenous sugars. J EXP BIOL 213, 2693 - 2699. https://doi.org/10.1242/jeb.043505