Dr. med. vet. Frank Göritz

Strengthening scientific approaches in wildlife welfare

Computed tomography in wildlife medicine and research for conservation

BioRescue - Advanced reproductive technologies for saving critically endangered mammals like the northern white rhinoceros

Evidence based habitat and species protection of African and Asian rhinos

Frozen Dumbo - Establishment of the first large scale semen cryobank of for wild African elephant semen and other endangered species

Captive breeding in giant pandas – Bridging between innovative ART and reproductive biology

Reproduction biology of lynx – basic research for conservation breeding of Iberian lynx

Towards the next level of biobanking

Biobanking for assisted reproduction techniques

Paternal epigenetic effects

• Assisted reproductive technology (ART)
• Birth management of rhinos, elephants, big cats
• Clinical wildlife medicine

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.

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(aop):1-22. doi: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. doi:10.3390/ani11020312

Ebert T, Painer J, Bergman P, Qureshi AR, Giroud S, Stalder G, Kublickiene K, Göritz F, Vetter S, Bieber C, Fröbert O, Arnemo JM, Zedrosser A, Redtenbacher I, Shiels PG, Johnson RJ, Stenvinkel P. (2020). Insights in the regulation of trimetylamine N-oxide production using a comparative biomimetic approach suggest a metabolic switch in hibernating bears. SCI REP. 10, 20323. doi: 10.1038/s41598-020-76346-1. PMID: 33230252; PMCID: PMC7684304.

Hermes R, Göritz F, Wiesner M, Richter N, Mulot B, Alerte V, Smith S, Bouts T, Hildebrandt TB (2020): Parturition in white rhinoceros. THERIOGENOLOGY 156, 181-188. doi:org/10.1016/j.theriogenology.2020.06.035

Luther I, Maree L, Kotze A, Hildebrandt T, Göritz F, Hermes R, van der Horst G (2020): Sperm motility, kinematics, morphometry and morphology over two seasons in free-ranging African elephants (Loxodonta africana). REPROD FERTIL DEV, 32, 425–438. doi:10.1071/RD19182

Wauters J, Jewgenow K, Göritz F, Hildebrandt TB (2020): Could embryonic diapause facilitate conservation of endangered species? BIOSCIENTIFICA PROC 10, doi:10.1530/biosciprocs.10.005

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. doi.org/10.1093/jmammal/gyaa053

Drews B, Ulbrich SE, Rudolf Vegas A, Jewgenow K, Zahmel J, Roellig K, Ortmann S, Hildebrandt TB, Göritz F (2020): Gliding into diapause: early embryo development in roe deer (Capreolus capreolus). BIOSCIENTIFICA PROC 10. doi:10.1530/biosciprocs.10.012

Huber N, Marasco V, Painer J, Vetter SG, Göritz F, Kaczensky P, Walzer C (2019): Leukocyte coping capacity: an integrative parameter for wildlife welfare within conservation interventions. FRONT VET SCI 6, 105.

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

Loi P, Galli C, Lazzari G, Matzukawa K, Fulka J Jr, Göritz F, Hildebrandt TB (2018): Development to term of sheep embryos reconstructed after inner cell mass/trophoblast exchange. J REPROD DEV 64, 187-191. doi:10.1262/jrd.2017-109

Holtze S, Braude S, Lemma A, Koch R, Morhart M, Szafranski K, Platzer M, Alemayehu F, Göritz F, Hildebrandt TB (2018): The microenvironment of naked mole-rat burrows in East Africa. AFR J ECOL 56, 279-289. doi:10.1111/aje.12448

Hildebrandt TB, Hermes R, Colleoni S, Diecke S, Holtze S, Renfree MB, 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(1), 2589. doi:10.1038/s41467-018-04959-2.

Hermes R, Saragusty J, Moser I, Barth SA, Holtze S, Lecu A, Cracknell J, Williams D, Göritz F, Hildebrandt TB (2018): Differential detection of tuberculous and non-tuberculous mycobacteria by qPCR in lavage fluids of tuberculosis-suspicious white rhinoceros. PLOS ONE 13, e0207365. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0207365

Hermes R, Hildebrandt TB, Göritz F (2018): Cryopreservation in rhinoceros - setting a new benchmark for sperm cryosurvival. PLOS ONE 13, e0200154. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0200154

Hermes R, Saragusty J, Moser I, Holtze S, Nieter J, Sachse K, Voracek T, Bernhard A, Bouts T, Göritz F, Hildebrandt TB (2018): Bronchoalveolar lavage for diagnosis of tuberculosis infection in elephants. EPIDEMIOL INFECT 146, 481-488. doi:10.1017/S0950268818000122

Stillfried M, Gras P, Börner K, Göritz F, Painer J, Röllig K, Wenzler M, Hofer H, Ortmann S, Kramer-Schadt S (2017): Secrets of success in a landscape of fear: Urban wild boar adjust risk perception and tolerate disturbance. FRONT ECOL EVOL 5,157. doi:10.3389/fevo.2017.00157

Saragusty J, Lemma A, Hildebrandt TB, Göritz F (2017): Follicular size predicts success in artificial insemination with frozen-thawed sperm in donkeys. PLOS ONE 12, e0175637. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0175637

Potier R, Monge E, Loucachevsky T, Hermes R, Göritz F, Rochel D, Risi E (2017): Effects of deslorelin acetate on plasma testosterone concentrations in captive yellow-bellied sliders (Trachemys scripta sp.). ACTA VET HUNG 65, 440-445. doi:10.1556/004.2017.041

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, e0182209. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0182209

Jewgenow K, Braun BC, Dehnhard M, Zahmel J, Goeritz F (2017): Research on reproduction is essential for captive breeding of endangered carnivore species. REPROD DOMEST ANIM 52, Suppl. 2, 18-23. doi:10.1111/rda.12836

Weyrich A, Lenz D, Jeschek M, Chung TH, Rübensam K, Göritz F, Jewgenow K, Fickel J (2016): Paternal intergenerational epigenetic response to heat exposure in male wild guinea pigs. MOL ECOL 25, 1729-1740. doi:10.1111/mec.13494

Prieto-Pablos MT, Sánchez-Calabuig MJ, Hildebrandt TB, Göritz F, Ortmann S, Eder S, Santiago-Moreno J, Hermes R, Saragusty J (2016): Cryopreservation of captive roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) semen. THERIOGENOLOGY 86, 695-703. doi:10.1016/j.theriogenology.2016.02.023

Kretzschmar P, Kramer-Schadt S, Ambu L, Bender J, Bohm T, Ernsing M, Göritz F, Hermes R, Payne J, Schaffer N, Thayaparan ST, Zainuddin ZZ, Hildebrandt TB, Hofer H (2016): The catastrophic decline of the Sumatran rhino (Dicerorhinus sumatrensis harrissoni) in Sabah: Historic exploitation, reduced female reproductive performance and population viability. GLOB ECOL CONSERV 6, 257-275. doi:10.1016/j.gecco.2016.02.006

Goettling J, Goeritz F, Jewgenow K, Painer J (2016): Serum chemistry and haematology for female Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx). EUR J WILDL RES 62, 365-367. doi:10.1007/s10344-016-0990-4

Hermes R, Schwarzenberger F, Göritz F, Oh S, Fernandes T, Bernardino R, Leclerc A, Greunz E, Mathew A, Forsyth S, Saragusty J, Hildebrandt TB (2016): Ovarian down regulation by GnRF vaccination decreases reproductive tract tumour size in female white and greater one-horned rhinoceroces. PLOS ONE 11, e0157963. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0157963

Prieto MT, Saragusty J, Santiago-Moreno J, Stagegaard J, Goeritz F, Hildebrandt TB, Hermes R (2015): Cryopreservation of onager (Equus hemionus onager) epididymal spermatozoa. J ZOO WILDL MED 46, 517-525. doi:10.1638/2014-0243.1

Saragusty J, Prieto MT, Courtiol A, Potier R, Göritz F, Hildebrandt TB, Hermes R (2015): Sperm rescue in wild African elephants. REPROD FERTIL DEV 28, 1433-1442. doi:10.1071/RD14378

Saragusty, J., Hermes, R., Hofer, H., Bouts, T., Göritz, F., Hildebrandt T.B. (2012): Male pygmy hippopotamus influence offspring sex ratio. Nature Communications, 3:697, DOI: 10.1038/ncomms1700

Roellig, K., Goeritz, F., Hildebrandt, T.B. (2010): Ultrasonographic characterisation of prenatal development in European brown hares (Lepus europaeus Pallas, 1778). Reproduction, Fertility and Development 22, 448-458.

Roellig, K., Goeritz, F., Fickel, J., Hermes, R., Hofer, H., Hildebrandt, T.B. (2010): Superconception in mammalian pregnancy can be detected and increases reproductive output per breeding season. Nature Communications, 1:78, DOI: 10.1038/ncomms1079.

Goeritz F, Painer J, Jewgenow K, Hermes R, Rasmussen K, Dehnhard M, Hildebrandt TB (2009): Embryo retrieval after hormonal treatment to control ovarian function and non-surgical artificial insemination in African lions (Panthera leo).Reprod Domest Anim 47, 156-160.

Göritz, F., Neubauer, K., Naidenko, S.V., Fickel, J., Jewgenow, K. (2006): Investigations on reproductive physiology in the male Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx). Theriogenology 66, 1751-1754.

Schön, J., Göritz, F., Streich, J., Blottner, S. (2004): Histological organization of roe deer testis throughout the seasonal cycle: variable and constant components of tubular and interstitial compartment. Anat. Embryol. 208:151-159

Brown, J.L., Göritz, F., Pratt-Hawkes, N., Hermes, R., Galloway, M., Graham, L.H., Gray, C., Walker, S.L., Gomez, A., Moreland, R., Murray, S., Schmitt, D.L., Howard, J.G., Lehnhardt, J., Beck, B., Bellem, A., Montali, R., T.B.Hildebrandt (2004): Successful Artificial Insemination of an Asian Elephant at the National Zoological Park. Zoo Biology 23:45-63.

Mpanduji, D.G., Hildebrandt, T.B., Fyumagwa, R., Wiik, H., Siege, L., Baldus, R.D., Bittegeko, S.B.P., Hermes, R., Hahn,R., Hofer, H., Göritz, F. (2003): Immobilisation and evaluation of some clinical parameters for some free-ranging elephants in southern Tanzania. PACHYDERM 35, 140-145.

Wagener, A., Blottner, S., Göritz, F., Streich, W.J., J. Fickel (2003): Differential Changes in Expression of a and b FGF, IGF-1, and –2, and TGF-a During Seasonal Growth and Involution of Roe Deer Testis. Growth Factors 21, 95-102.

Göritz, F., Hildebrandt, T. B., Pitra, C., Bosch, H., B. Seidel (2003): Sonographische Geschlechtsbestimmung bei Eselspinguinen (Pygoscelis papua). Verh.ber.erkrg.Zootiere 37, 283-288.

Göritz, F., Hildebrandt, T.B.,  Jewgenow, K., Wagner, N., Hermes, R., Strauß, G. and H.H.D. Meyer(2001): Transrectal ultrasonographic examination of the female urogenital tract in nonpregnant and pregnant captive bears (Ursidae).J. Reprod Fert Suppl 51, 303-312

Göritz, F.; Jewgenow, K.; Meyer H. H. D.(2001): Epidermal growth factor and epidermal growth factor receptor in the ovary of the domestic cat (Felis catus). J. reprod Fert 106, 117-124