Dr. Bruckmaier has been working on the physiology and endocrinology of lactating ruminants. His work contributed significantly to the knowledge in the field of milking physiology and the importance of oxytocin and other hormones in the regulation of milk ejection. The work from his group also contributed significantly to understanding the mammary immune response, including pathogen-specific differences of activation of different components of the immune system, thus explaining differences in the course of mastitis after infection with different pathogens. His studies on the metabolism of high yielding dairy cows have shown an individually different adaptive capacity to metabolic load as a potential basis for animal breeding, but also a different endocrine adaptation to nutrient deficiency at different stages of lactation. During all research activities he has tried to support young scientists in the development of their future careers.