2011 A.E.T.E. NEWSLETTER N

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1 December 20 A.E.T.E. NEWSLETTER N 36 Editor: Dimitrios Rizos TABLE OF CONTENTS President's letter Claire Ponsart Upcoming Events... A Visual update of the last AETE Scientific Meeting..... Winner of the Student Competition Veronica Maillo, INIA Madrid, Spain. Workshop I - Chester Sep 20 Management of recipient animals Andreas Kuwer, Germany..... Workshop II - Chester Sep 20 Management of small ruminants in AI and ET programmes with special regard to future perspectives Maria Dattena, Sardinia, Italy..... European statistical data of bovine embryo transfer activity 200 Hiemke Knijn, The Netherlands... A.E.T.E. Next Conference: Saint-Malo, France, 6 th -8 th of September A.E.T.E. Newsletter Dimitrios Rizos, Editor drizos@inia.es No.36 December 20 A biannual published by the European Embryo Transfer Association Web Site: Letters to the Editor are welcomed. Please include name, address, telephone, FAX, and address Dear Colleagues, Our society has held its 27 th annual meeting in Chester, a very pleasant venue in the United Kingdom. The meeting was attended by over 30 delegates, originating from 20 European countries and other very distant countries such as Australia, Brasil, Irak and South Africa, thus indicating the dynamism of our embryo transfer society. The conference was organised in 3 oral presentations, 2 workshops and a poster session with 68 posters. The number of posters is remarkably increasing since the last years, enriching exchanges between participants. The board likes to thank all authors submitting abstracts and participating to the poster session. A critical point has been pointed out by the secretary this year: all of us are invited to submit abstracts strictly before the 5 th of May, as an incompressible reviewer time delay is needed to ensure a high quality of proceedings. The presentation of Dr Maurice Boland as the recipient of the AETE Pioneer Award was a special moment of the meeting. It was a kind of anniversary as Dr Boland was a board member in 99. Dr Maurice Boland received the award due to his real outstanding work in the field of reproduction, including more than 50 papers on follicular growth, progesterone patterns or embryo development. Pat Lonergan reminded in the laudatory speech his scientific and pedagogic abilities as a professor in charge of PhD students.

2 (Spain) was designed as winner of the student competition and obtained a prize of 750 euros from the AETE society for her following research: she investigated effects of lactation on circulating metabolic hormones postpartum and early embryo development in dairy cows. The other invited lectures were given by Véronique Duranthon, Dana Janowski and Dawit Tesfaye. Véronique Duranthon described clearly nutritionally induced epigenetic effects, presenting results obtained from a rabbit model. It s remarkable that periconceptional feeding changes have consequences on early embryonic genome activation and offsprings characteristics. Dana Janowski presented a well illustrated review of oocyte development competence: a large set of experiments aimed to compare oocytes presenting a differential in vitro development ability using brilliant cresyl blue (BCB) tests. Dawit Tesfaye described the role of endometrium in bovine pregnancy establishment: molecular and genetic markers of endometrial receptivity were investigated together with embryo markers related to developing potential, thus identifying transcripts and molecular signals associated with a successful implantation. As every year, four students were selected to participate in the Student Competition. Due to health problems, the student De Souza was replaced by Morató who equally contributed to the study. The Board members judged the students on their abstract, poster and oral presentation. Finally, Mrs Maillo working at INIA, Madrid Both workshops were very practical orientated. The first workshop, co-ordinated by Andreas Kuwer focussed on recipient management: firstly, four groups animated by Alistair Smith (England), Serge Lacaze (France), Jakomien Schouten-Nordman (The Netherlands) and Alain Passeraub (Switzerland) collected from the audience information, practical advices conditioning the choice and preparation of recipients. Then, the key points were shared and discussed together. This may lead to a short document aiming to point out the key points in recipient management. The second workshop, co-ordinated by Maria Dattena was dedicated to small ruminants: advances in alternative methods of hormonal synchronisation as well as embryo related were presented by different European teams. As every year, the meeting combined a successful scientific programme with outstanding social events, encouraging exchanges between practitioners, students, scientists and sponsors. Therefore I would like to acknowledge the excellent organisation of this meeting by the Local Organising Committee: Dr Ian Kippax (chair) and his family, who put large efforts in the meeting preparation and ensured the smooth progress of the meeting. The board addressed special thanks to Jozsef Ratky who overtook the printing of proceedings as in the previous years. I also would like to thank all the sponsors and exhibitors for their 2

3 financial support allowing us to organise a successful meeting like this. During the general assembly and within the board, some decisions were made to improve our actions and services to our AETE members: - It was decided to maintain membership, sponsoring and registrations fees as the same level as last year. - The board members agreed unanimously to open bank accounts in Switzerland (Raiffeisenbank Lägern-Baregg, Wettingen), to facilitate the work to be done by the Treasurer. - Hiemke Knijn proposed a new collection form for commercial bovine embryo transfer activities, in order to simplify and update the actual collection form (for example use of sexed semen was missing), as well as the presentation of results in the proceedings. -Peter Vos accepted to get in charge of upgrading the website in favour of the members. The major goal of this process will be: to improve the current website and to provide operational and practical information. Next year our 28th meeting will be held in Saint Malo, France from the 6th to the 8th of September. The Local Organising Committee, chaired by Dr Hélène Quinton, has already started to organise this important event. A special event will be organised on the 6 th of September afternoon: CREAVIA, one of the main breeding French breeding company will schedule a visit of its new semen production center located in St Aubin du Cormier, thus providing a bus transport of participants from Rennes to Saint Malo. Also most of the invited speakers already accepted to give a lecture. The scientific programme will be focussed on embryo genotyping, impact of metabolism on embryo development and prediction of ovarian response following superovulation. Workshops will focus on equine embryo transfer and improvement of in vitro embryo production. A special part will be dedicated to embryo-maternal interactions, as a network called GEMINI just finished a four years period of successful exchanges and common scientific work ( Therefore I am convinced that we can expect an interesting scientific meeting, including new perspectives in the field of embryo related biotechnologies. I wish you a merry Christmas and I am looking forward to see you all in Saint Malo next year. AETE BOARD MEMBERS Claire Ponsart, France, President claire.ponsart@unceia.fr Frank Becker, Germany, Vice President becker@fbn-dummerstorf.de Urban Besenfelder, Austria, Secretary urban.besenfelder@boku.ac.at Rainer Saner, Switzerland, Treasurer rsa@swissgenetics.ch Peter Vos, The Netherlands p.l.a.m.vos@uu.nl Ian Kippax, U.K. i.kippax@btopenworld.com Serge Lacaze, France Serge.lacaze@midatest.fr Jędrzej Jaskowski, Poland jasko@au.poznan.pl Hiemke Knijn, The Netherlands Hiemke.Knijn@crv4all.com Dimitrios Rizos, Spain drizos@inia.es A.E.T.E. Secretary Urban Besenfelder Reproduction Centre Wieselburg University of Veterinary Medicine Veterinaerplatz, A-20 Vienna, Austria Tel: Fax : urban.besenfelder@boku.ac.at website: Claire ponsart President A.E.T.E December 20 3

4 Upcoming Events 38 th Annual Conference of the International Embryo Transfer Association (IETS) January 7-0, 202 Phoenix, Arizona, USA Renaissance Glendale Hotel & Spa For information, please visit the IETS web site at: 7 th International Congress of Animal Reproduction (ICAR) July 29 th August 2 nd 202 Vancouver, Canada For information, please visit the ICAR web site at: American Embryo Transfer Association (AETA) & Canadian Embryo Transfer Association (CETA/ACTE) Joint Scientific Convention September 2-5, 202 Victoria Inn, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada For information, please visit the CETA/ACTE web site at: or the AETA web site at: The opening of the 27 th AETE Meeting from the President, Claire Ponsart and the Chair of the Local Organising Committee, Ian Kippax at Chester, England, 9 th of September 20. A visual update of the last A.E.T.E. Scientific Meeting Dear Colleagues, I am taking this opportunity by putting some photos together to remind you the success (scientifically and socially) of the previous meeting of the Association that was held in Chester, England at 9 th and 0 th of September 20. It was a pleasure to visit Chester, a wonderful place in the north west of England. I would like to thank Ian Kippax (Chair of Local Organising Committee) and his family for the organization of the fantastic meeting. I am confident that it will be another productive year for the Society and its members. The president and the board members of the society wishing you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year 202. Speakers at the Conference Gala Dinner Dimitrios Rizos 4

5 Winner of the STUDENT COMPETITION Veronica Maillo, Spain Effect of lactation on circulating metabolic hormones and early embryo development in postpartum dairy cows Maillo V, Besenfelder U 2, Havlicek V 2, Garret M 3, Kelly AG 3, Rizos D, Lonergan P 3 Dpto. De Reproduccion Animal, INIA, Madrid, Spain. 2 University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Austria. 3 School of Agriculture, Food Science and Veterinary Medicine, College of Life Sciences, University College Dublin, Ireland. Embryo survival is a major factor affecting production and economic efficiency in all systems of ruminant production. In cattle, up to 40% of total embryonic losses occur between days 8 and 7 of pregnancy, indicating that early embryonic mortality is the main source of reproductive wastage. This high embryonic mortality rate has enormous economic implications, increasing the number of days open and retarding genetic progress. After calving, dairy cows enter in a negative energy balance (NEB) because the feed energy intake is less than the energy output for milk production. This NEB reaches its nadir around day 2 postpartum and after that starts to recover slowly. The metabolic blood profile of postpartum lactating cows is characterized by low levels of glucose, insulin and IFG-I, and high levels of non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) and beta-hydroxybutryrate (BHBA). 5 Infertility in dairy cattle is a multifactorial problem that may be linked either with the oocyte, the produced embryo, the status of the reproductive tract, or even a combination of them. There is evidence from previous results of our group comparing heifers vs. cows [], that the reproductive tract of the postpartum dairy cow may be less capable of supporting the development of the embryo than that of the nonlactating heifers. Based on that, the aim of this study was to examine the effect of lactation on the ability of the reproductive tract of postpartum dairy cows to support early embryo development. Twenty primiparous Holstein heifers were used. Immediately after calving, half of the cows were dried off (i.e., not-milked) while the other half entered the milking herd and were milked twice daily. At approximately 60 days postpartum, the oestrous cycles of all cows were synchronized and on Day 2, approximately sixty-five 2- to 4-cell embryos, produced by in vitro maturation and fertilization of oocytes derived from the ovaries of slaughtered heifers, were endoscopically transferred to the oviduct ipsilateral to the corpus luteum. Five days later, on Day 7, the oviduct and uterus were flushed non-surgically and the number of embryos developing to the blastocyst stage was recorded immediately at recovery and following overnight culture in vitro. From Day 0 until day 7, blood samples were taken daily to measure progesterone concentrations. In order to metabolically characterize the cows, jugular blood samples were taken twice per week from 5 days before calving to approximately Day 00 postpartum, to measure NEF),(BHB), glucose, insulin and IGF-I. At the same time, body weight (BW) and body condition score (BCS) were recorded for each animal. BW and BCS were significantly different between groups for the entire postpartum period of the study. Furthermore, concentrations of NEFA and BHBA were higher (P<0.05) and concentrations of glucose, insulin and IGF-I were lower (P<0.05) in lactating compared to nonlactating cows. Embryo recovery rates from lactating and nonlactating cows were similar, but of the structures recovered, significantly more embryos developed to the blastocyst stage in the nonlactating cows than in lactating cows (P<0.05; Table ). No differences were found in the concentrations of progesterone between both groups. We have observed in previous experiments [] that the reproductive tract of postpartum lactating dairy cows may be less capable of supporting development of the embryo compared to the non-

6 lactating nulliparous heifer. Here, we compared the difference in the reproductive tract between agematched, postpartum, lactating and nonlactating cows. The model of endoscopic oviduct transfer allows to asses the whole reproductive tract capacity (oviduct and uterus) independetly of oocyte factors. The blastocyst formation rate in nonlactating cows of about 39% was consistent with that expected using in vitro derived embryos [2] and the lower recovery rate from lactating cows may be related with the altered situation of the reproductive tract. In conclusion, this study provides evidence that the reproductive tract of the lactating dairy cow is compromised in its ability to support early embryo development compared with that of matched nonlactating cows and this may contribute to early embryo mortality observed in such animals. Further experiments are planned to clarify why the reproductive tract of postpartum lactating cows is compromised to support early embryo development. [] Rizos D. et al. J. Dairy Sci. 200, 93: [2] Lonergan P. Soc. Reprod. Fertil. Suppl. 2007, 64: Funded by Science Foundation Ireland (SFI/07/SRC/B56 to P. Lonergan) and of the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation (AGL to D. Rizos). V. Maillo was partly supported by Short Term Scientific Mission from COST-GEMINI Action (COST-STSM-FA ). Table. Recovery and development of bovine embryos following endoscopic transfer to the oviducts of Holstein lactating (n = 0) or dry (n = 0) dairy cows. Cows Embryos transferred, n Recovery, n (%mean±sem) Day 7 Blastocysts, n (%mean±sem) Total Blastocysts, n (%mean±sem)* Lactating (62.7±8.0) 0 (27.0±3.3) a 28 (33.±4.3) a Dry (63.9±7.2) 65 (39.6±3.6) b 203 (49.3±3.8) b a, b : values in the same column with different letters differ significantly *Following overnight culture WORKSHOP I Management of recipient animals lectures and short oral communications we tried to get the audience involved in a discussion about more general topics. So the first day ended with a workshop about the management of recipient animals. The recipient is one key factor in the embryo transfer business. Without good recipients you will not achieve pregnancies and still the live born calf is the major goal. Organiser: Andreas Kuwer At the annual meeting of the European embryo transfer association held in Chester more than 00 participants took part. Beside of very interesting 6

7 The attendances were divided in four groups. Each group got a group leader, named before the meeting to prepare some key words for the group work. The topics were: Selection of recipients; Preparation of recipients; Recipients at Embryotransfer; and the post transfer management. We started to gather some ideas of the group members and tried to finish with a ranking of the key points in order of importance. Jakomien Schouten-Nordman from the Netherlands was doing the selection of the recipients. You will get the best results in virgin heifers, but you need to have a good management on the farm. It is not only the recipient itself; also the environment is important for success. Especially the body condition score, energy/protein balance, structure of food found to be very important. Quite often the heifers are fed on silage of less quality, with the outcome of poor pregnancy results, so nutrition has a big impact in the selection group. Feeding of up to 2 kg of carrots should be beneficial. Also the sanitary situation of the farm has to be checked, with special interest in the disease control, vaccinations and blood tests. Before transplantation of embryos the recipients should be tested on persistent infection of BVD. Serge Lacaze from France was focused on the recipient on the day of transfer. His group spent a lot of time in the discussion about the importance of heat detection. Besides watching the recipients through the herd s manager, there are several helping tools on the market (heat time, colour detection). One opinion was not to transfer an embryo, if no standing heat was seen. No difference is found between natural oestrus versus induced oestrus. The day of transfer is more important if IVF Embryos are transferred. You will have better results on day 7 and 8 after heat, with flushed embryos you can also use day 6 recipients. Before transfer you have to check for pregnancy, tonicity of the uterus and other disorders. The presents of a corpus luteum is the main checkpoint. Size doesn t matter, you have to compare with the size of the ovaries. The use of ultrasound has the advantage to see more structures on the ovary, especially vacuoles in the CL. If the liquid is surrounded by more than 2 cm, it is supposed to be a good CL, otherwise more likely a cyst. The majority uses epidural anaesthesia. If not, it is more likely to damage the tissues during transfer. This is another stress factor to consider. Alain Passeraub from Switzerland discussed the preparation of recipient. All ET groups work with an intravaginal progesterone-releasing device, especially if the cycle of the heifer is not known. One team was conscious about getting bad results through the vaginitis caused by the CIDRs. The device was left in the vagina for 8 to 2 days. One shot of Prostaglandin was administered at the time of removal or 2 hours before, depending on the team. The use of CIDRs is supposed to be better than using two injections of Prostaglandin. 7

8 In the post transfer group, led by Alistair Smith from Aberdeen nutrition takes a big part. The body condition score should be maintained or even increased. Changes in nutrition should be avoided, at least the first 4 weeks after transfer. Grass silage should be privileged; feeding of kg of carrots can be helpful, also mentioned in the preparation group. Avoid routine treatments around transfer of embryos. If you have to move animals or mix groups, then do so within -2 days or wait at least one month after transfer to minimize stress for the animals. Salmonella boosters might help to prevent Abortion. Embryo itself, many factors led to the goal of a healthy live born calf. Andreas Kuwer Masterrind GmbH ET Station Nückel-Germany Corresponding addresses: Andreas Kuwer, Masterrind, Germany: AKuwer@masterrind.com Jakomien Schouten-Noordman, CRV, The Netherlands: Jakomien.Noordman@crv4all.com Alistair K Smith, Ovaflo, England: alistair@ovaflo.demon.co.uk, Serge Lacaze, Midatest, France: Serge.Lacaze@Midatest.Fr Alain Passeraub, Swissgenetics, Switzerland: aps@swissgenetics.ch As discussed in the Selection group you have to ensure pre transfer vaccinations (BVD, IBR, Leptospirosis). Hormonal supplements can be useful to maintain pregnancies. Progesterone, as given through a CIDR, inserted in the vagina post transfer for 2-3 days, in order to synchronize repeats. GnRH might be injected on day -2, hcg on day 7. Meloxicam or Flunixin is very important in sheep, as mentioned from Greece. After transfer you should still do heat detection at first return, not just breeding the recipients. Pregnancy diagnosis should be done with ultrasound from 28 to 42 days, a longer conceptus also through rectal palpation. Charolais, Belgian Blue or Aberdeen Angus pregnancies are considered to be induced, but it is always better to allow parturition to commence before performing surgery, don t just do elective caesareans on a predicted date. WORKSHOP II Management of small ruminants in AI and ET programmes with special regard to future perspectives Organiser: Maria Dattena The workshop showed that the management of the recipient had a big impact on the outcome of Embryotransfer. It is not only the transfer of the 8

9 The aim of this workshop was to present future perspectives in AI and MOET program in small ruminants looking at more sustainable conditions. It was the occasion also to present two experiences of MOET program in goat and sheep in two different countries, South Africa and Turkey. This opportunity was given by the participation at AETE congress of two colleagues Dr. Khoboso Lehloney expertise in small ruminant with particular attention to goat and Dr. Ebru Emsen and Carlos Gimenez both involved in a big national program of Embryo Transfer and MOET in sheep in the north part of Turkey. In the last few years the need of more attention in artificial insemination (AI) and multiple ovulation and embryo transfer (MOET) management programs, with special regard to future perspectives in small ruminant, is come from the new demand for animal products in the Mediterranean regions determined by the population growth, urbanization, increasing purchasing power and special requirements of consumers. However research for the future small ruminant production in the Mediterranean system should also focus on an efficient utilization of local genetic resource, innovation and improvement of traditional processing technologies. Until now application of reproductive technology such AI and MOET for genetic improvement and small ruminant management has been mostly applied in traditional advanced farm conditions. However, nowadays the application of these tools, might be taken into consideration for a more wide kind of situation: i) difficult farm condition from geographical and economical point of view, ii) organic farm, iii) preservation of genetic resource, iv) endangered livestock. These new approaches might need: a) simplification of embryo transfer technique, b) reduction of cost, and c) avoiding the use of hormones. Indeed in the last a few years, new 9 perspectives have been claimed for the reduction of the use of hormones and cost such the increase in number of organic farming system in many European regions especially for dairy sheep breeds where, for example, the farmers are claiming genetic improvement without the use of hormones. With this new situation in mind at the Sardinia Research Center (Agris) we started to look up for different perspectives, particularly to set up: i) the procedures of an AI protocol without the use of hormones to be applied in an organic farm and ii) an example of MOET program without the use of progesterone and simplification of some steps of the technique such us the use of OPS (open pulled straw) as a catheter for the transfer of the embryos (to avoid the use of microscope after embryo warming) and an inguinal mini-laparotomy to avoid adhesion and hernia problems or the use of costly endoscopy technique. AI without the use of hormones To reach this objective we needed: i) protocol of a long term semen preservation, at least 24h at 4 C (Mara et al., 2005; Mara et al., 2007); ii) the use of ram effect to synchronize the sheep (Dattena et al., 200; Mayorga et al., 200) combined with a precise time and technique of estrus detection (Dattena et al., 200; Mayorga et al., 200) and AI (Paulenz et al., 2007). The results were very encouraging reaching 83% (79/95) of animal on heat after ram effect within 6 days from the start of estrus detection(fig ). The fertility rate was 47 % (37/79) when the AI was carried out at 24h from the start of the estrus detection using long preservation chilled semen kept at 4 C in a refrigerator of the farmer for at least 24h. These results were very similar to those reported by Mara in our laboratory (personal communication 47% fertility rate). Moreover, in this condition we were able to use the system suggested by Paulenz et al. (2007) do it yourself where the farmer was trained to use ram effect to synchronies ewes, to recognize ewes on heat with the use of teaser ram (four time a day) and to do AI by itself. The prolificacy rate of the 37 ewes lambed was 24%. These data show that alternative reproduction management might reach results comparable to traditional reproduction programs. However, advancements in semen technology are needed to improve preservation where the aim is to produce chilled long semen preservation at least until h (O Hara et al., 2009).

10 iii) administering superovulatory treatment (FSH) without the use of sponges, starting four days after natural estrus detection (fig.3), making use of physiological progesterone levels (Mayorga et al., 20). However, this last choice is practical only in small scale MOET programs (4-5 donors/day), because only 6-8% of females in a flock come into estrus spontaneously each day during the breeding season (Evans and Maxwell, 987), so it is necessary a couple of days of estrus detection. Fig.: Distribution of estrus after ram introduction MOET without the use of Progesterone and its overall simplification method. It has been reported that despite the benefits of synchronization, progestagens are considered to have a negative effect on the number of the ovulations and transferable embryos in response to superovulation treatment (Gonzalez-Bulnes et al., 2004; Berlinguer et al., 2007). Indeed, when the treatment is not able to maintain normal physiologic levels of progesterone (fig 2) it is possible to have alterations in the patterns of follicular growth and dominance of large estrogenic follicles as well as alteration in the process of fertilization and in the development of good quality embryo (Scaramuzzi et al., 988; Leyva et al., 998; Vinoles et al., 999; Gonzales-Bulnes et al., 2005) Estrous cycle Sponge Fig. 3: Superovulation with FSH without the use of progesterone at Day 4 after estrus detection The application of this last methods resulted as good and encouraging when compared with traditional treatment (4 day sponges +FSH) with significant difference for important variables such as N CL/ewes (0.7±3.4 vs 7.0 ± 3.4) quality of embryos produced (6.2± 3.8 vs 4.0± 3.0) and fertility rate (00% vs 80%) (Mayorga et al., 20). The use of OPS as a catheter to avoid the use of microscope was as good as more traditional embryo transfer technique (60% vs 59%) of pregnancy rate respectively together with the mini-laparotomy in inguinal position (Fig.4) Fig. 2: Progesterone profile during sponge treatment Strategies used to overcome the negative effects of progestagen treatment include: i) the insertion of a second progesterone device to maintain constant levels of this hormone during treatment (Dingwall et a., 994; Gonzalez- Bulnes et al., 2002), ii) supplying gonadotrophins soon after sponge removal at the time of ovulation to avoid the detrimental effects of follicular dominance (Menchaca et al., 2002; Menchaca et al., 2007) or Fig. 4: Embryo transfer with OPS 0

11 In conclusion improvement and new perspective of small ruminant reproduction management are possible with more simplify methods. Maria Dattena Corresponding addresses: Organizer: Maria Dattena, Agris-DIRPA, Sardinia, Italy: Participants: Lehloney K.C, Tshwane Univ. Tech. South Africa: MOET in goats : the South Africa perspective Gimenez-Diaz C.A & Ebru Emsen, Ataturk Univ. Dept. Anim. Scien, Turkey: carlos@er-gen.com; eemsen@atauni.edu.tr; An evaluation of interbreed commercial ovine embryo transfer in Turkey European Statistical data of bovine embryo transfer activity 200 Hiemke Knijn The embryo transfer activities in Europe, as presented during the 27th AETE meeting in September 20 in Chester, England, are summarised in this report. The presented data are based on embryo transfer activities for breeding and commercial embryo production reported by 22 European countries (including data from Austria, which were not included in the report presented in the proceedings of the AETE 20). Activities in relation to research purposes are not included. The presented data include numbers on embryo production (MOET and OPU-IVP) and transfers (fresh and frozen) for bovine and other species (sheep, swine, goat and horse). These data are included in the report of the Embryo Transfer Association (IETS Data Retrieval Committee) on embryo transfer activities worldwide. Embryo production The total number of flushed donors was 7,855, which was a small increase in activity compared to the previous year. This resulted in a collection of 9,342 transferable embryos. The mean number of transferable embryos per flush was 6.6. This is a remarkable increase compared to the more or less stable numbers of the last years. It is not clear what causes this increase. During the presentation of these results at the AETE conference the audience suggested that this could be due to daughters of Kian (a bull that is used a lot the last years) which are very good embryo producers. The results of embryo flushing from 200 and previous years are shown in Figure flush sessions embryos per flush Fig. : In vivo embryo production in Europe (number of flushes and number of embryos per flush). In 200, four countries applied OPU for commercial reasons. The total number of OPU sessions was 4,085. An increase of 5% compared to last year. This resulted in a production of 5,522 transferable embryos. The mean embryo production was.35 embryos per session. This is a significant decrease compared to the past years. The cause for this decline is unclear. The results from next year will show if this decline is temporary. OPU IVP results from 200 and previous years are shown in Figure 2.

12 OPU sessions Embryo transfers The number of embryos transferred amounts to 6,092 (Figure 3) which is 5% more then the previous year. The proportion of IVP embryos was 4.9%. The proportion of frozen embryos was 56% and 40% for the in vivo and in vitro embryos, respectively. Distribution of the number of flushes and in vivo derived embryos transferred among the top 2 European countries is shown in Table and Fig. 4. 2,5 2,5 0,5 0 embryos per OPU session Fig. 2: In vitro embryo production in Europe (number of OPU sessions and number of embryos per session). Table : Application of MOET in Europe; Top 2 European countries ranked according to the number of flushes performed in 200. Countries Flushes Embryos Transferred France 5,74 29,55 Netherlands 3,499 20,808 Germany - 5,553 England 2,527 4,959 Italy 2,039,625 Belgium,74 7,222 Finland 486 3,809 Switzerland 467 3,0 Spain 577 2,34 Denmark 347 2,054 Ireland 360,62 Czech republic 229, numb transf % IVF 0 0 Fig.3: Total number of embryos transferred and % IVP in Europe. Fig. 4: Application of MOET in Europe (number of embryos transferred). 2

13 Other species Data for embryo transfer activities in sheep, swine, goat and equine are shown in Figure 5. This year only 5 countries reported embryo activities in species other then bovine. The number of embryos transferred in sheep increased dramatically and was more or less at the same level as in The number of embryos transferred in equine decreased from over 000 in 2009 to 23 in 200. No activities were reported in swine and goat. These fluctuations can be caused by incomplete data collection. Next year we will put extra efforts to try to collect more complete data on embryo transfer in other species then bovine Fig. 5: Number of embryos transferred in Europe; other species Summary Embryo transfer other Species Sheep Swine Goat Equine A remarkable increase of mean number of transferable embryos per flush to 6.6 A significant decrease of mean embryo production to.35 embryos per OPU session An increase of 5% of embryos transferred ET activities in other species declining, possibly due to incomplete collection of data. Acknowledgements: I would like to thank all participants who collected the embryo transfer statistics for their country and helped me to make an overview of the activities in Europe. In the meanwhile I would like to encourage all AETE members to help me collect embryo transfer data from all European countries. If you have a contact that is able to collect the data in one of the 28 European countries that did not provide data this year please contact me (Hiemke.Knijn@CRV4all.com). The 28th Scientific Meeting of the A.E.T.E Will be held in Saint-Malo, France 6 TH -8 TH SEPTEMBER 202 Invitation On behalf of the European Embryo Transfer Association, the local organizing committee cordially invites you to the 28th scientific meeting of the organization in Saint-Malo, France, from the 6th to the 8th of September 202. The Local Organizing Committee will be chaired by Helene Quinton (hquinton@creavia.fr) together with Frédéric Charreaux (CREAVIA) and Claire Ponsart (UNCEIA). The Conference Location In 202, the meeting will take place in Saint-Malo, at Le Grand Large, a conference center in the heart of this city: Welcome to Saint-Malo, France. Welcome to the Far West of France, to the Bretagne region. After the walled city of Chester in United Kingdom, we invite you to discover another outstanding walled city in France, facing the sea. A must-do tour of the ramparts will give you a chance to admire panoramic views of the English Channel and its ever-changing tidal landscape. Bretagne! France! Hiemke Knijn 3

14 on the Etoile du Roy, majestic three-masts, docked in front of Le Grand Large, replica of a 745 corsair frigate. Saturday evening, we propose to go to the Norman neighbours and to offer to all participants the rare opportunity to have a prestigious evening on the top of the Mont-Saint- Michel. In the 2th century, to escape Viking invasions, the residents of Saint-Malo moved to a neighboring islet, which constitutes now the walled city. A small port city was born and was soon defended by ramparts that continued to expand in the following centuries. From the 3th to the 8 th century, Saint- Malo was a Corsair City: the privateers of Saint- Malo, who were among the most highly feared throughout the seven seas, actively participated in the prosperity of the city. As a prelude on Thursday afternoon, Creavia proposes to discover its new bovine semen production center in Saint-Aubin-du-Cormier opened in 200 and to organise the transport of participants by bus from Rennes to Saint-Aubindu-Cormier, and after the visit, to organize the trip to St Malo, to join the welcome reception on Thursday evening. For all participants planning to visit this new facility, a meeting place will be scheduled in Rennes airport or train station, or with the possibility to join directly the production center in Saint-Aubin-du-Cormier. Please, keep this special event in mind and register as soon as possible. More details regarding the meeting point will be given later. Saint-Malo is a touristic city and thus, offers large possibilities of accommodation, at a walking distance from the Congress Centre who will take care of all hotels registrations. As social events, the gala dinner will take place in the congress center, including a cocktail on board 4

15 How to travel to Saint Malo? - by plane : / Rennes Saint-Jacques Airport: direct daily routes from major French and European cities, including 5 daily round-trip flights from Paris. Low-cost flights from the United Kingdom, Ireland, and Spain. 2/ Dinard Airport (5 min. from St-Malo): daily round-trip flights from London and Nottingham - by train : / from CDG Airport Roissy with highspeed trains (TGV) to Rennes, followed by regular (each hour) connections for Saint Malo 2/ from Paris-Montparnasse - Saint Malo with a direct high-speed link (TGV, < 3 h) - by boat : daily ferry services to and from Great Britain (Portsmouth) and the Channel Islands - by road : 370 km from Paris. The journey takes 3 hours and 30 minutes (A/A8 motorway via Rennes or A3/A84 via Caen) REGISTRATION FEES Saint-Malo, France Sep 202 Euros Full/Associate Member Before 5th July 202 Full/Associate Member After 5th July 202 Student Member Before 5th July 202 Student Member After 5th July Membership Fee Members who pay their annual fee but do not attend the Meeting will receive a copy of the proceedings This price includes: - membership fee - participation at the Meeting (two full days) - two workshops - published proceedings - lunch and coffee breaks - social events Fees for Sponsoring AETE Meeting We look forward to seeing you in 202 in Saint Malo, France. Main Sponsor General Sponsor Exhibitors Supporters Euros Euros 900 Euros 000 Euros Local Organizing Committee Language The official language of the conference is English. Scientific Secretariat AETE board 5 Costs for advertisement in the Newsletter (2 issues) for one year (mailed to ~700 members) Full color back page Full inside color page Half inside color page 800 Euros 600 Euros 400 Euros

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