Department of Population Health, Food Animal Health and Management, Production Medicine Service, Reproductive Medicine Service, Veterinary Teaching Hospital
Associate Professor
Expertise

Farm Practice | Medicine | Theriogenology

Biography

I was born in Maracaibo, Venezuela, a very warm, colorful, coastal city with cultural and geographical importance for the development of the region. With no doubts, one of the most beautiful countries on the planet, not only for the natural and economic resources, but also for our lovely and diverse people. I grew up having all kind of pets and my love for animals determined that I wanted to be a veterinarian since kindergarten. I am so thankful for the wonderful opportunities I have had in my veterinary medicine career and personal life

Research Interests

Dr. Palomares’ lab and research team is called GRAVID (Latin Gravis – heavy; pregnant female) is the Group for Reproduction in Animals, Vaccinology & Infectious Diseases in the College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia. GRAVID performs research that enhances animal health and reproductive performance, positively impacts the animal industry and inspires future veterinarians worldwide. GRAVID’s integrative program focuses on the improvement of reproductive performance and prevention of infectious diseases to benefit the livestock industry, veterinarians and producers. GRAVID links researchers, veterinary practitioners, producers, and the industry to pursue a common goal – improving animal health and reproduction.

​His research interest is focused on Immunopathogenesis, prevention and control of infectious diseases that affect cattle production and reproduction, especially viruses that cause respiratory and reproductive diseases (e.g. BVDV & IBR). Additionally, Dr. Palomares’ research program involves the study of noninfectious factors that affect bovine fertility and strategies to improve reproductive performance in dairy and beef cattle, such as ovulation synchronization and TAI programs. Moreover, Dr. Palomares coordinates a program for in vitro production of bovine embryos.

Current Graduate Students:

  • Alejandro Hoyos, DVM (PhD candidate)
  • Heidi Fishman, DVM (PhD candidate)

Mentored Graduate Alumni:

  • Adriana Rodriguez (MS, 2020)
  • Sara Kirks (MS, 2020)
  • Alivia Rohrer (MS, 2019)
  • Joao Bittar (PhD, 2019)

Projects:

  1. Effects of melatonin on oxidative stress, oocytes competence, embryo development and pregnancy outcomes in prepubertal dairy heifers submitted to ultrasound-guided ovum pick up
  2. Efficacy of vaccination with Coronavirus and Rotavirus in dairy cattle.
  3. Effect of injectable trace minerals (zinc, manganese, selenium and copper) on the humoral and cell-mediated immune responses and protection against BVDV and BHV1 following administration of modified-live viral vaccines in dairy and beef calves.
  4. Assessment of timing of ovulation and pregnancy outcomes in dairy and beef heifers treated with a Monday-Friday 4-day Co-Synch + CIDR + timed artificial insemination (TAI) protocol.
  5. Strategies to improve pregnancy outcomes in dairy heifers artificially inseminated with sex-sorted semen.

Educational Background

  • PhD in Biomedical Sciences (infectious diseases), Auburn University (2012)
  • Minor in Statistics in Biomedical Sciences, Auburn University (2012)
  • Residency in Food Animal Theriogenology, Large Animal Teaching Hospital, Auburn University (2009-2012)
  • Board Certified (Diplomate) in the American College of Theriogenologists (2011)
  • Master of Science (Animal Reproduction), University of Zulia; Maracaibo, Venezuela (2002)
  • Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zulia; Maracaibo, Venezuela (1998)

Activities

  • Member of the scientific committee. American College of Theriogenologists & Society for Theriogenology.
  • Reviewer of scientific journals: Archives of Virology, Virus Research, Vaccine, Theriogenology, Clinical Theriogenology, Virology, Research in Veterinary Science, American Journal of Veterinary Research, Journal of Dairy Science.

Teaching Experience

Dr. Palomares’ clinical expertise involves food animal theriogenology (male and female), bovine production medicine, development of herd health programs, outbreak investigations, with special focus on improvement of reproductive performance in cattle, prevention and control of infectious infertility and abortions.

Didactic Teaching Experience as an instructor:

  • Comparative Nutrition (VPHY5170)
  • Veterinary Virology
  • Special Topics on Pop Health (POP5230)
  • Theriogenology (LAM5310)
  • Vet Obstetrics (LAMS5290)
  • Artificial Insemination and Embryo Transfer ART (LAMS5395)

Selected Publications

  1. Palomares RA, Bittar JHJ, Woolums AR, Hoyos-Jaramillo A, Hurley DJ, Saliki JT, Ferrer MS, Bullington AC, Rodriguez A, Murray T, Thoresen M, Jones K, Stoskute A. Comparison of the immune response following subcutaneous versus intranasal modified-live virus booster vaccination against bovine respiratory disease in pre-weaning beef calves that had received primary vaccination by the intranasal route. Vet Immunol Immunopathol. 2021, 237: 110254.
  2. Alward KJ, Graves WM, Palomares RA, Ely LO, Bohlen JF. Characterizing Anti-Müllerian Hormone (AMH) concentration and change over time in Holstein dairy cattle. Theriogenology. 2021, 168: 83-89.
  3. Bittar JHJ, Palomares RA, Hurley DJ, Hoyos-Jaramillo A, Rodriguez A, Stoskute A, Hamrick B, Norton N, Adkins M, Saliki J, Sanchez S, Lauber K, Immune response and onset of protection from Bovine viral diarrhea virus 2 infection induced by modified-live virus vaccination concurrent with injectable trace minerals administration in newly received beef calves. Veterinary Immunol and Immunopathol. 2020, 225: 110055.
  4. Chamorro MF, Palomares RA. Bovine respiratory disease vaccination. Modified-live virus versus Killed-virus vaccine; parenteral versus intranasal vaccine; what is the evidence? .Vet Clin North Am Food Anim Pract. 2020, 36: 461-472.
  5. Ferrer MS, Palomares RA, Hurley HJ, Bullington AC, Hoyos-Jaramillo A, Bittar JH. Antisperm antibodies and sperm function in bulls undergoing scrotal insulation. 2020, 160: 783–792.
  6. Aguirre AA, Palomares RA, De Ondiz AD, Soto ER, Perea MS, Hernández-Fonseca HJ, Perea FP. Lunar cycle influences reproductive performance of crossbred Brahman cows under tropical conditions. Journal of Biological Rhythms. 2021, 36:160-168.
  7. Fishman-Holland H, Stoskute A, Ferrer MS, Veal D, Bittar JHJ, Rollin E, Lourenço J, Palomares RA. Comparison of follicular development, timing of ovulation and serum progesterone, estradiol and luteinizing hormone concentrations in dairy heifers treated with 4- or 5-day CoSynch + CIDR protocols. Vet Med Sci. 2019, 5: 379-389.
  8. Bilbao MG, Zapata LO, Romero Harry H, Perez Wallace S, Farcey MF, Gelid L, Palomares RA, Ferrer MS, Bartolome JA. Comparison between the 5-day cosynch and 7-day estradiol-based protocols for synchronization of ovulation and timed artificial insemination in suckled Bos taurus Beef cows. Theriogenology. 2019, 131:72-78.
  9. Palomares RA, Gutiérrez-Añez JC, Zambrano S, Boscan-Ocando JC, Montero M, Camacho J, Perea-Ganchou FP, Ferrer MS, Rodríguez-Márquez JM, Portillo-Martinez G, Muñoz RJ, Godoy R. Chronic inflammatory and degenerative endometrial lesions in subfertile Criollo Limonero cattle; a B. taurus Latin-American breed threatened with extinction; A case-control study. Anim Reprod Sci. 2018, 197: 22-32.
  10. Bittar JHJ, Hoyos-Jaramillo A, Hurley DJ, Woolums AR, Havenga LJ, Lourenço JM, Barnett G, Gomes V, Saliki JT, Harmon DD, Palomares RA. Effects of injectable trace minerals administered concurrently with a modified live virus vaccine on long-term protection against bovine viral diarrhea virus acute infection in dairy calves. Res Vet Sci. 2018, 119:250-258.
  11. Ferrer MS, Palomares RA, Bullington AC, Bittar JHJ. Effect of liposome-containing diluent and centrifugation on motion parameters and membrane integrity of cooled bovine spermatozoa. Clin Theriogenology 2018, 10: 25-34.
  12. Bittar JHJ, Hurley DJ, Woolums AR, Norton NA, Barber CE, Moliere F, Havenga LJ, Palomares RA. Effects of injectable trace minerals on the immune response to Mannheimia haemolytica and Pasteurella multocida following vaccination of dairy calves with a commercial attenuated-live bacterin vaccine. Profess Anim Sci 2018, 34: 59-66.

All per-reviewed publications: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=palomares+ra

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