Prof. RNDr. Alexander Sirotkin, PhD, DrSc, born in 1954 in Slovakia, is a globally recognized authority in reproductive biology and endocrinology. He serves as a Professor and Project Leader at the Department of Zoology and Anthropology, Constantine the Philosopher University, Nitra, Slovakia. With a profound academic background and decades of international collaborations, Prof. Sirotkin has made groundbreaking contributions to the understanding of hormonal and cellular regulation in animal reproduction. His prolific career spans extensive research, teaching, and leadership roles across Russia, Germany, the UK, Spain, Greece, Sweden, China, and beyond. He has supervised numerous doctoral and postgraduate students and led various international research projects. A committed academician and scientist, Prof. Sirotkin’s work integrates advanced molecular techniques with practical applications in animal biotechnology, earning him multiple international honors. His innovations and publications continue to influence reproductive science globally, marking him as one of the leading experts in his domain.
Profile
🎓 Education
Prof. Sirotkin’s academic journey began at the State University of Leningrad, Russia (1970–1976), where he earned the RNDr. degree with a thesis on seasonal regulation in woodpeckers. He continued his postgraduate studies (1979–1983) at the Research Institute of Evolutionary Physiology and Biochemistry, Academy of Sciences of the USSR, focusing on the role of nonapeptide hormones in avian reproduction, earning his PhD. Later, in 1997, he received the prestigious DrSc. degree from the Institute of Genetics, Research Institute of Animal Production, Nitra, Slovakia, with a dissertation on ovarian cell regulation. He has also received specialized training at numerous elite institutions across Europe, including in Germany, the UK, Sweden, Spain, Greece, and China. These academic pursuits built the foundation for his expansive expertise in neuroendocrinology, reproduction, and molecular biology, combining classic biological training with advanced biotechnological methodologies that inform his teaching and research across multiple countries and generations of students.
🧪 Experience
Prof. Sirotkin has over four decades of academic and research experience. He began as a Research Scientist at the All-Union Research Institute of Animal Breeding and Genetics (1976–1988, USSR), followed by a Senior Research Scientist role at the International Laboratory for Biotechnology in Slovakia (1988–1992), and later at the Research Institute of Animal Production, Nitra (1992–2016). Since 2014, he has served as Professor at Constantine the Philosopher University, Nitra. His teaching spans undergraduate to postgraduate levels in Russia, Slovakia, and multiple international universities, including Nottingham, Cordoba, Uppsala, Athens, and Taipei. His pedagogical expertise includes endocrinology, cytology, animal biotechnology, and reproductive biology. He has supervised 44 undergraduate and 28 PhD students and mentored researchers across Europe and Asia. His lab skills and techniques range from cell culture and microscopy to RNA interference and Western blotting, positioning him as a versatile, innovative, and impactful figure in life sciences.
🏅 Awards and Honors
Prof. Sirotkin has received numerous prestigious awards recognizing his scientific excellence. These include early honors in Leningrad (1976, 1983) and the Serono Investigator Award (1993, USA). He was acknowledged by the Society of the Institute of Small Animals (Germany, 1994) and received the RBI Best Paper Award (USA, 1995). Further accolades include the Ferring Arzneimittel GmbH award (Germany, 1996), Journal of Reproduction and Development Outstanding Paper Award (Japan, 2004), and the Slovak Ministry of Education Award (2005). He has also received repeated Rector and Dean Awards from Slovak universities for his outstanding monographs and international publications (2009–2023). The IASTEM Best Paper Award (India, 2017) and the Slovak Award for Science and Technics (2020) underscore his global influence. These honors reflect his pioneering research in reproductive endocrinology and his dedication to academic leadership, scholarly publishing, and impactful international collaborations in biology and biotechnology.
🔬 Research Focus
Prof. Sirotkin’s research focuses on reproductive biology, particularly the cellular and molecular regulation of ovarian function. His studies explore the roles of hormones, growth factors, transcription factors, and intracellular messengers in controlling folliculogenesis, oocyte maturation, atresia, and reproductive pathologies including ovarian cancer. He investigates hormone synthesis, receptor interactions, and signaling pathways involving protein kinases and RNA interference. His laboratory utilizes advanced techniques such as in vitro culture, gene silencing, confocal microscopy, Western blotting, and biochip analysis to dissect regulatory mechanisms in both mammalian and avian reproductive systems. His research bridges basic science with applied biotechnology, enhancing fertility management and livestock production. He has led multiple international projects across China, the UK, Germany, Russia, and the US, fostering innovation in endocrine and genetic regulation. His integrative approach contributes to both academic understanding and practical improvements in animal health, making him a key contributor to the field of reproductive molecular biology.
✅ Conclusion
Prof. Alexander Sirotkin is a globally respected reproductive biologist whose extensive research, international collaborations, and academic leadership have significantly advanced our understanding of endocrine and molecular mechanisms in animal reproduction.
Publications
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Food Restriction Induces Changes in Ovarian Folliculogenesis, Cell Proliferation, Apoptosis, and Production of Regulatory Peptides in Rabbits
I., Hadjadj, Imane, Z., Fabová, Zuzana, M.L., García, Mariluz Luz, … M.J., Argente, María José, A.V., Sirotkin, Alexander V.
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Effects, Mechanisms of Action and Application of Vitex agnus-castus for Improvement of Health and Female Reproduction
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Counteractive Effects of Copper Nanoparticles and Betacellulin on Ovarian Cells
A.V., Sirotkin, Alexander V., P., Romero-Navarro, Paula, B., Loncová, Barbora, … A.H., Harrath, Abdel Halim, F., Alonso, Francisco
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Interplay Between the MicroRNA miR-152 and Quercetin in the Control of Ovarian Granulosa Cell Functions
A.V., Sirotkin, Alexander V., Z., Fabová, Zuzana, Z., Kislíková, Zuzana, … M., Bauerová, Mária, A.H., Harrath, Abdel Halim
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The adipokines progranulin and omentin – novel regulators of basic ovarian cell functions
A.V., Sirotkin, Alexander V., Z., Fabová, Zuzana, B., Loncová, Barbora, M., Bauerová, Mária, A., Halim Harrath, Abdel
, 2024