Prof. Dr. Thomas B. Hildebrandt
Head of Department
Department of Reproduction Management
Tel: 0049 (0) 30 5168 - 440
E-Mail: hildebrandt@izw-berlin.de
External position: Chair of Wildlife Reproduction Medicine, Faculty for Veterinary Medicine, Freie Universität Berlin
Short curriculum vitae
Prof. Thomas Bernd Hildebrandt heads the department of Reproduction Management at Leibniz-IZW and is full Professor of Wildlife Reproduction Medicine at Freie Universität Berlin, as well as being an honorary professor at the University of Melbourne, Australia. From 1986 to 1992 he studied veterinary medicine at Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, received his doctorate summa cum laude from Freie Universität Berlin and is certified as a zoo, wildlife and game veterinarian. In his special field, reproduction biology, he is one of the pioneers of assisted reproduction in large mammals, including elephants, rhinos, big cats, and panda bears. He is represented in a number of professional societies, is Honorary Professorial Fellow Life Sciences at Melbourne University, Research Associate of the Smithsonian Institution (National Zoological Park), Fellow of the Zoological Society of San Diego Zoo, Scientific Associate of the Taronga Conservation Society Australia, Conservation Fellow of the Zoological Society London and Veterinary Advisor for the European elephant Taxon Advisory Group. He is also a passionate supporter of the public communication of science, talking at science meetings across the globe and he has also presented his work on the BBC. He has served on numerous advisory bodies in Europe and elsewhere. He has been Associate Editor of Human Reproduction and Molecular Human Reproduction. He has published more than 250 peer-reviewed scientific papers, written 29 book chapters, given over 220 presentations (including 50 plenary lectures), been awarded numerous prizes, and holds 7 patents.
Evidence based habitat and species protection of African and Asian rhinos
The naked mole rat - An alternative model species for biomedical ageing research
Computed tomography in wildlife medicine and research for conservation
Health status and diseases in the middle European lowland wolf population
Captive breeding in giant pandas – Bridging between innovative ART and reproductive biology
- Reproduction management
- Animal reproduction
- Assisted reproductive technology (ART)
- Imaging techniques, particularly ultrasonography
- Aging research
Hildebrandt TB*, Holtze S*, Biasetti P, Bohner J, Cizmar D, Colleoni S, de Mori B, Diecke S, Galli C, Hayashi K, 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 (2026): 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
Hildebrandt TB, Holtze S, Biasetti B, Bohner J, Cizmar D, Colleoni S, de Mori B, Diecke S, Galli C, Hayashi K, 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. (2026): De-extinction of the Northern White Rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum cottoni). J. Reprod. Dev. 72, 87-94. https://doi.org/10.1262/jrd,2025-122
Biasetti P, Hildebrandt TB, Seet S, Stejskal J, Giardullo P, Göritz F, Holtze S, Galli C, Stastny M & De Mori B. (2026). Perceptions of assisted reproductive technologies in wildlife conservation: Public expectations and ethical implications across three EU countries. PloS one, 21(2), e0342094. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0342094
Ruiz-Orera J, Miller D, Greiner J, Genehr C, Grammatikaki A, Blachut S, Mbebi J, Patone G, Myronova A, Adami E, Dewani N, Liang N, Hummel O, Muecke M, Hildebrandt TB, Fritsch G, Schrade L, Zimmermann WH, Kondova I, Diecke S, van Heesch S, Hübner N (2026): Discovery and dysregulation of human-specific genes and microproteins in cardiac disease. Journal of Molecular and Cellular Cardiology Plus, 15, 100593.
Wetzel M, Holtze S, Hofer H, Hildebrandt TB (2025): Context-dependent vaginal perforation in subordinate female naked mole-rats (Heterocephalus glaber): insights into reproductive plasticity and social modulation. Mammalian Biology, 1-14. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42991-025-00520-z
Ulbrich SE, Elsafadi S; Giacometti R; Bernal-Ulloa S; Holtze S; Ortmann S; Bosi D; Saenz de-Juano MD; Leonard AS; Pausch H; Göritz F; Hildebrandt TB (2025): First Successful Cervical Artificial Insemination in the European Roe Deer (Capreolus Capreolus). Theriogenology Wild, 100136.
Holtze S, Demirtürk D, Ohlenschläger O, Hegele S, Siniuk K, Förste S, Raghavan V, Groth M, Bens M, Hasse N, Martel A, Lukač M, Cizelj I, Fischer M, Liu H, Hildebrandt TB, Hoffmann S, Sahm A (2025): The transcriptome of the olm provides insights into its evolution and gene expression. Scientific Reports 15:28324 1 https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-10073-3
Heise O, Pottek T, Buss P, de Klerk-Lorist LM, Eigen L, Holtze S, Fritsch G, Göritz F, Wibbelt G, Hildebrandt T, Brecht M (2025): Trunk Tip Wear in Wild African Savanna Elephants. Integrative and Comparative Biology, 65(6), 1358–1365 https://doi.org/10.1093/icb/icaf020
Simone R, Cizmar D, Holtze S, Mulot B, Lamglait B, Knauf-Witzens T, Weigold A, Hermes R, Hildebrandt TB (2024): Cryopreservation of okapi (Okapia johnstoni) oocytes following in vitro maturation. Theriogenology Wild 4 (2024) 100088, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.therwi.2024.100088
Korody M and Hildebrandt TB (2024): Progress towards genetic rescue of the northern white rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum cottoni). Annu Rev Anim Biosci. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-animal-111523-102158
Huijsmans TERG, Courtiol A, Van Soom A, Smits K, Rousset F, Wauters J, Hildebrandt TB (2024): Quantifying maternal investment in mammals using allometry. Communications Biology (2024) 7:475, https://doi.org/10.1038/s42003-024-06165-x
Hildebrandt TB and Holtze S (2024): Advanced assisted reproduction technologies in endangered mammalian species. Reprod Dom Anim. 2024; 59 (Suppl. 3):e14700. https://doi.org/10.1111/rda.14700
Simone R, Čižmár D, Holtze S, Michel G, Sporbert A, Okolo C, Hildebrandt TB (2023): First in vitro obtained naked mole-rats’ blastocysts from oocytes in vitro matured and piezo-ICSI fertilized. Scientific Reports 13:22355, https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-49661-6
Martinez Q, Okrouhlík J, Šumbera R, Wright M, Araujo R, Braude S, Hildebrandt T, Holtze S, Ruf I, Fabre PH (2023): Mammalian maxilloturbinal evolution does not reflect thermal biology. NCOMMS-22-34106C.
Longren LL, Eigen L, Shubitidze A, Lieschnegg O, Baum D, Nyakatura JA, Hildebrandt TB, Brecht M (2023): Dense reconstruction of elephant trunk musculature. Current Biology 33: 1-8. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cub.2023.09.007
Lázaro J, Costanzo M , Sanaki-Matsumiya M, Girardot C, Hayashi M, Hayashi K, Diecke S, Hildebrandt TB, Lazzari G, Wu J, Petkov S, Behr R, Trivedi V, Matsuda M, Ebisuya M (2023): A stem cell zoo uncovers intracellular scaling of developmental tempo across mammals. Cell Stem Cell 30: 1-12, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.stem.2023.05.014.
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(6): 383–399, https://doi.org/10.1530/REP-23-0087
Hayashi M, Zywitza V, Naitou Y, Hamazaki N, Goeritz F, Hermes R, Holtze S, Lazzari G, Galli C, Stejskal J, Diecke S, Hildebrandt TB, Hayashi K (2023): Robust induction of primordial germ cells of white rhinoceros on the brink of extinction. Science Advances 9 Dec 2022 Vol 8, Issue 49. https://doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.abp9683
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. FRONT ECOL EVOL 10, 855688. https://doi:10.3389/fevo.2022.855688
Purkart L, Tuff JM, Kaufmann LV, Altringer C, Maier E, Schneeweiß U, Shah M, Tunckol E, Holtze S, Fritsch G, Hildebrandt TB, Brecht M (2022): Trigeminal Ganglion and Sensory Nerves Suggest Tactile Specialization of Elephants. 2022, Current Biology 32, 904–910. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cub.2021.12.051
Le Duc D, Velluva A, Cassatt-Johnstone M, Olsen,RA, Baleka S, Lin CC, Lemke JR, Southon JR, Burdin A, Wang MS, Grunewald S, Rosendahl W, Joger U, Rutschmann S, Hildebrandt TB, Fritsch G, Estes JA, Kelso J, Dalén L, Hofreiter M, Shapiro B, Schöneberg T (2022). Genomic basis for skin phenotype and cold adaptation in the extinct Steller's sea cow. Science advances, 8(5), eabl6496. https://doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.abl6496
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. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.theriogenology.2021.04.006
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.
Wieland R, Ukawa C, Joschko M, Krolczyk A, Fritsch G, Hildebrandt TB, Schmidt O, Filser J, Jimenez JJ. (2021). Use of deep learning for structural analysis of computer tomography images of soil samples. R Soc Open Sci. 8:201275. https://doi.org/10.1098/rsos.201275
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. https://doi.org/10.1163/25889567-BJA10009
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. https://doi: 10.1038/s41598-021-86967-9. PMID: 33846452.
Hayashi K, Galli C, Diecke S., Hildebrandt TB. (2021). Artificially produced gametes in mice, humans and other species. REPROD FERT DEVELOP. 33, 91-101. https://doi.org/10.1071/RD20265
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
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, von Zglinicki T, Hildebrandt TB (2020): Surprisingly long survival of pre-mature conclusions about naked mole-rat biology. BIOL REV CAMB PHILOS SOC. https://doi.org/10.1111/brv.12660
Dhellemmes F, Hansen MJ, Bouet SD, Videler JJ, Domenici P, Steffensen JF, Hildebrandt TB, Fritsch G, Bach P, Sabarros PS, Krüger A, Kurvers RHJM, Krause J (2020): Oil gland and oil pores in billfishes: in search of a function. J EXP BIOL 223, jeb.224956. https://doi:10.1242/jeb.224956
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. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.theriogenology.2020.06.035
Wauters J, Jewgenow K, Göritz F, Hildebrandt TB (2020): Could embryonic diapause facilitate conservation of endangered species? BIOSCIENTIFICA PROC 10. https://doi.org/10.1530/biosciprocs.10.005
Hansen MJ, Krause S, Breuker M, Kurvers RH, Dhellemmes F, Viblanc PE, Müller J, Mahlow C, Boswell K, Marras S, Domenici P, Wilson ADM, Herbert-Read JE, Steffensen JF, Fritsch G, Hildebrandt TB, Zaslansky P, Bach P, Sabarros PS, Krause J (2020): Linking hunting weaponry to attack strategies in sailfish and striped marlin. Proceedings of the Royal Society B, 287(1918), 20192228. https://doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2019.2228
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. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 117(12), 6491-6501. doi: 10.1073/pnas.1916414117. Epub 2020 Mar 9. PMID: 32152094. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1916414117
Menzies BR, Hildebrandt TB, Renfree MB (2020). Unique reproductive strategy in the swamp wallaby. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 117: 5938-5942.
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. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-018-04959-2
Drews B, Ringleb J, Waurich R, Hildebrandt TB, Schröder K, Roellig K (2013): Free blastocyst and implantation stages in the European brown hare: correlation of ultrasound and histological data. REPROD FERTIL DEV https://doi.org/10.1071/RD12062
Drews B, Roellig K, Menzies B, Shaw G, Buentjen I, Herbert C, Hildebrandt TB, Renfree MB (2013): Ultrasonography of wallaby prenatal development shows that the climb to the pouch begins in utero. Scientific Reports 3:1458 https://doi.org/10.1038/srep01458
Galateanu G, Apelt D, Aizenberg I, Saragusty J, Hildebrandt TB (2013): Canine tarsal architecture as revealed by high-resolution computed tomography. VET J https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tvjl.2012.10.027
Galateanu G, Hildebrandt TB, Maillot A, Etienne P, Potier R, Mulot B, Saragusty J, Hermes R (2013): One small step for rhinos, one giant leap for wildlife management- imaging diagnosis of bone pathology in distal limb. PLoS ONE.
Hermes R, Saragusty J, Göritz F, Bartels P, Potier R, Baker B, Streich JW, Hildebrandt TB (2013): Freezing African elephant semen as a new population management tool. PLoS ONE 8(3): e57616. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0057616PloS ONE
Mossa F, Carter F, Walsh SW, Kenny DA, Smith GW, Ireland JLH, Hildebrandt TB, Lonergan P, Ireland JJ, Evans ACO (2013) Maternal undernutrition in cows impairs ovarian and cardiovascular systems in their offspring. Biol Reprod 88: 92, 1-9.
Hildebrandt TB, Hermes R, Saragusty J, Potier R, Schwammer H, Balfanz F, Vielgrader H, Baker B, Bartels P, Göritz F (2012): Enriching the captive elephant population genetic pool through artificial insemination with frozen-thawed semen collected in the wild. Theriogenology 78: 1398-1404.
Lueders I, Niemuller C, Rich P, Gray C, Hermes R, Goeritz F, Hildebrandt TB (2012): Gestating for 22 months: luteal development and pregnancy maintenance in elephants. Proc R Soc B 279: 3687-3696.
Saragusty J, Hermes R, Hofer H, Bouts T, G ö ritz F, Hildebrandt TB (2012): Male pygmy hippopotamus influence offspring sex ratio. Nature Communication published 2012 https://doi.org/10.1038/ncomms1700
Hutchinson JR, Delmer C, Miller CE, Hildebrandt TB, Pitsillides AA, Boyde A (2011): From Flat Foot to Fat Foot: Structure, ontogeny, function, and evolution of Elephant “sixth toes”. Science 334: 1699-1703.
Roellig K, Goeritz F, Fickel J, Hermes R, Hofer H, Hildebrandt TB (2010): Superconception in mammalian pregnancy can be detected and increases reproductive output per breeding season. Nature Communication 1-7, published 21.09.2010. https://doi.org/10.1038/ncomms1079
Hildebrandt TB, Drews B, Kurz J, Hermes R, Yang S, Goeritz F (2009): Pregnancy monitoring in dogs and cats using 3D and 4D ultrasonography. Reprod Domest Anim, 44 (Suppl 2): 125-128.
Hildebrandt TB, Drews B, Gaeth AP, Göritz F, Hermes R, Schmitt D, Gray C, Rich P, Streich WJ, Short RV, Renfree MB (2007): Fetal age determination and development in elephants. Proc R Soc B 274: 323-331.
Hildebrandt TB, Hermes R, Walzer C, Sos E, Molnar V, Mezösi L, Schnorrenberg A, Silinski S, Streich WJ, Schwarzenberger F Göritz F (2007): Artificial insemination in anoestrous and the postpartum white rhinoceros using GnRH analogue to induce ovulation. Theriogenology 67: 1473-1484.
Hildebrandt TB, Hermes R, Jewgenow K, Göritz F (2000): Ultrasonography as an important tool for the development and application of reproductive technologies in non-domestic species. Theriogenology 53: 73-84.
Richman LK, Montali RJ, Garber RL, Kennedy MA, Lehnhardt J, Hildebrandt TB, Schmitt DL, Hardy D, Alcendor DJ, Hayward GS (1999): Novel endotheliotropic herpesviruses fatal for Asian and African elephants. Science 283: 1171-1176.