27th European embryo transfer association (AETE) Conference was held on 9-10 September 2011 in Chester, England, UK. The conference brought together researchers, students and professionals from 21 European countries, working in the field of embryo transfer in animals. Report on the work of the Association was given by its president Claire Ponsart, France. Statistics for embryo transfers made in Europe in 2010 was presented by Hiemke Knijn, Netherlands. He noted that 109,414 (48555 fresh and 60859 frozen) embryos were produced and transferred in vivo. Generally, the rate of in vitro derived and trasferred embryos was much lower - 4.9 percent or 5,661 embryos. The results for the transfer of frozen embryos that were 54.8 percent of the total number are encouraging.

The participation in this forum was extremely important to acquire new knowledge and get acquainted with new technologies. The conference included four thematic scientific sessions with oral presentations: a) Fertilisation and Fertility; b) Cryobiology; c) In vitro embryo production; d) Student session. Leading experts delivered four lectures and thirteen short scientific reports in relevant fields. Interesting discussion provoked the lecture of Dr. Tesfaye, Germany, dedicated to elucidate the relationship of gene expression in endometrial cells and the embryo.

For the needs of embryo transfer practicing professionals, two thematic workshops were organized:

• Workshop I – Management of recipient animals
• Workshop II – Management of small ruminants in AI and ET programmes with special regard to future perspectives

The three poster sessions comprised more than 140 posters and reflected all aspects of biotechnology embryo transfer in different species. A special interest provoked the Chester’s zoo tour organized by the hosts showing the achieved success in reproduction of animals which do not usually breed in captivity. The young elephants and jaguars, born by the usage of reproductive biotechnology were real landmark in this zoo (see photos).

The Institute of Biology and Immunology of Reproduction "Acad K. Bratanov" - BAS was presented to the annual meeting of the Association and the AETE scientific community by posters of the members of AETE - Professor E. Kacheva "Morphological special features of preimplantation buffalo embryos (bubalus bubalis)" and Assoc. Professor E. Kistanova "Changes in the parameters of the gilts reproductive system after injective administration of organic selenium".

The materials are published in the conference proceedings, which can be downloaded here.

The participation in this forum was helpful for strengthening professional contacts and discussions for future co-operations. The possibility of joint participation in a FP7 research project was discussed with colleagues from the Institute of Livestock Dummerstrof, Germany. In negotiations with representatives of "Masterrind" (Germany) which is a company for the production of bovine embryos, we got the agreement of a leading professional from the company to conduct practical micromanipulation course in IBIR - BAS with the new systems purchased by ReProForce project.